All-optical acoustic array for underwater surveillance

For underwater surveillance applications, an all-optical acoustic array technology allows enhanced capabilities compared to conventional piezoelectric antenna in terms of compactness, robustness and large distance remote interrogation through small diameter optical cable. This paper presents the results obtained on a first full optical antenna panel based on an innovative wideband pressure and temperature compensated fiber laser hydrophone. The presented mock-up includes 12 fiber-laser optical hydrophones interrogated through a 4 km lead optical cable.