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Towed array sonar
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<p>A towed array sonar is a system of <a href="/facts/Hydrophone/yLwe7VYY">hydrophones</a> towed behind a <a href="/facts/Submarine/6fhcAKHV">submarine</a> or a surface ship on a cable. Trailing the hydrophones behind the vessel, on a cable that can be kilometers long, keeps the array's sensors away from the ship's own noise sources, greatly improving its <a href="/facts/Signal-to-noise_ratio/qohClhyG">signal-to-noise ratio</a>, and hence the effectiveness of detecting and tracking faint contacts, such as quiet, low noise-emitting submarine threats, or seismic signals. </p><p>A towed array offers superior resolution and range compared with hull-mounted sonar. It also covers the <a href="/facts/Baffles_(submarine)/8AAAS5sn">baffles</a>, the blind spot of hull-mounted sonar. However, effective use of the system limits a vessel's speed and care must be taken to protect the cable from damage. </p>