Description
In 1974, the United States Navy awarded the first contract for the AN/BQR-23 towed array processor. Developed by Spectral Dynamics Corporation, this processor was specifically designed for use with the AN/BQR-15 towed array sonar system.
The AN/BQR-23 provided at least 64 simultaneous Low-Frequency Analysis and Recording (LOFAR) channels in real time. LOFAR is crucial for detecting low-frequency sounds in the ocean, which can indicate the presence of other vessels or underwater activities. The processor featured visual displays in both LOFAR and frequency-azimuth formats, allowing operators to analyze sonar data more effectively.
An improved version, the AN/BQR-23A, introduced bearing-interpolation trackers. These trackers smoothed bearing data, improving the accuracy of target detection and tracking. The multichannel digital signal processing capabilities of the BQR-23A were a major improvement over similar systems on U.S. strategic and attack-class submarines at the time.
In the AN/BQR-15 SPALTÂ 9080 it was replaced by the Rockwell AN/BQQ-9 TASPE (Towed-Array Signal Processing Equipment).
Note: Spectral Dynamics Corporation, founded in 1961, specialized in designing and manufacturing audio-range signal analysis instruments and systems. The company was later acquired by Scientific Atlanta of San Diego..
Contractor
- Spectral Dynamic Division, Scientific Atlanta, San Diego, USA
Further reading
Bibliography
- Friedman, N. (2020). British Submarines in the Cold War Era. United Kingdom: Pen & Sword Books.
- Friedman, N. (1989). The Naval Institute guide to world naval weapons systems. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press.
