In the mid 1990s, Resonance Technology designed its first mine countermeasures underwater sound source incorporating its patented vibrator technology. In conjunction with ADI (now Thales Australia) and assistance from the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) Australia, prototypes were built and tested. By 2000, AAGs were being manufactured by Resonance Technology for both the Polish and Australian Navies. An Infrasonic Advanced Acoustic Generator (IAAG) was also designed to emulate larger ships, with the first unit delivered to the US Navy in 2005.
The AAG and the IAAG are now in service with both the Royal Australian Navy and the US Navy where they are integral to the minesweeping equipment for the US Navy's Avenger class Mine Counter Measure Vessels (MCM). The AAG is also in service with the Indian and other navies.
Thales Australia is a trusted partner of the Australian Defence Force and is a global technology leader for the Aerospace and Space, Defence, Security and Transportation markets and Resonance Technology has been privledged to work with them. Please direct all sales enquiries to Thales Australia.
An overview of the relevant specifications appears below :| AAG | IAAG | |
|---|---|---|
| Parameter | Value | Value |
| Length | 2056 mm | 3700 mm |
| Turbine Shroud Diameter | 750 mm | 1324 mm |
| Weight | 222 kg in air/113 kg in seawater | 1220 kg in air/368 kg in seawater |
| Broadband frequency range | From < 5 Hz to > 30 kHz | From < 5 Hz to > 30 kHz |
| Fundamental frequency range | 5 Hz to 250 Hz inclusive | 5 Hz to 40 Hz inclusive |
| Line structure (tonals) | Programmable | Programmable |
| Tow load | 240 kgf at 8 knots | 900 kgf at 8 knots |
| Frequency roll off | 20 to 25 dB per frequency decade | 20 to 25 dB per frequency decade |
| Propagation | Omnidirectional | Omnidirectional |
THALES Group documentation
