Maritime acoustic detection of aircraft to increase flight safety and homeland security: an experimental study

For several years ARL has studied acoustics to track vehicles, helicopters, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and others targets of interest. More recently these same acoustic sensors were placed on a simulated buoy in an attempt to detect and track aircraft over a large body of water. This report will investigate the advantages of using acoustic arrays to track air and water craft from a fixed floating platform as well as potential concerns associated with this technology. Continuous monitoring of aircraft overflight will increase situational awareness while persistent monitoring of commercial and military flight paths increases overall homeland security.