China recovers US anti-submarine device deployed on USAF P-8A aircraft

The U.S. Navy’s P-8A Poseidon advanced maritime patrol aircraft recently deployed a hydroacoustic buoy in the South China Sea. According to reports, this buoy, designed to detect submarines, fell into the hands of the Chinese.

China’s capture of sonobuoys—sophisticated acoustic systems that detect underwater activity—raises serious concerns about reverse engineering. China’s defense industry is well known for replicating American technology.

In a video posted Wednesday by Yuyuan Tantian, a social media account affiliated with state-owned China Central Television, a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft can be seen discharging several cylindrical payloads into the sea.

Çin, ABD’nin denizaltı tespiti maksadıyla deniz karakol uçaklarından Güney Çin Denizi’ne bıraktığı sonobuoyları ele geçirdi! pic.twitter.com/VWNeZ2u3XO

— SavunmaSanayiST.com (@SavunmaSanayiST) June 27, 2024

One of them

Reports indicate that one of the objects fell into the waters near Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, known as Ren’ai Reef in Beijing. The area is currently at the center of a fierce territorial dispute between the Philippines and China and was the site of a violent clash between their forces last week.

“After the incident, the China Coast Guard immediately arrived at the scene to recover and inspect the unidentified electronic items in accordance with applicable laws and regulations,” he added. Yuyuan Tantian stated.

The 40-second video then pans to reveal the battery labels on the electronic device, identifying Ultra Electronics as the manufacturer. Ultra Electronics is a British defense contractor specializing in the production of radar and electronic warfare products, including sonic beacons and electromagnetic interference filters.

How does a sonar buoy work?

Sonobuoys are specialized buoys equipped with acoustic sensors designed to detect submarines. When launched from aircraft such as the P-8 Poseidon, they can be dropped into the ocean to create a network of listening devices that monitor underwater sounds.

There are two main types of sonar buoys: passive and active. Passive sonar buoys listen for sounds emitted by submarines, such as engine noise or the sound of a submarine moving through the water. Active sonar buoys, on the other hand, emit a sound pulse and listen for the echo that bounces off objects, including submarines.

Once deployed, the sonobuoys descend to a specific depth using a parachute and then activate their sensors. Data collected by the sonobuoys is transmitted back to the P-8 Poseidon via radio signals. The aircraft’s onboard systems then analyze this data to identify and locate potential submarine threats.

What is interest?

Reverse engineering a US sonar buoy captured by China would reveal important details about US anti-submarine warfare (ASW) technology. Sonar buoy sensor technology is a key area of ​​interest. By examining these sensors, China could learn more about the detection range and sensitivity used by the US Navy.

Another important aspect is how the sonar buoy processes data and communicates with the P-8 Poseidon aircraft. Understanding this can show how quickly and efficiently the U.S. Navy analyzes and responds to information in real time.

The energy management system is also important. By looking at how sonobuoys are powered and how they manage their energy, Chinese engineers could improve the durability and performance of their own ASW devices. Finally, reverse engineering sonobuoys can help discover unique software or algorithms used to process signals and encrypt data.

Types of sonobui in P-8

China’s claims are hard to verify, and even if they are true, we don’t know what type of sonobuoy was captured. Let’s take a look at the sonobuoys that the USAF P-8 Poseidon typically uses. One key sonobuoy is the AN/SSQ-53F DIFAR. This British device, manufactured by Ultra Electronics, detects the sounds of submarines and helps locate them based on directional data.

Another important tool in the P-8’s arsenal is the AN/SSQ-62E Directional Command Activated Sonobuoy System (DICASS). Manufactured by Sparton Corporation, an American company, this sonobuoy uses active sonar. It can send sonar pings and receive echoes, helping to pinpoint the location of underwater targets.

The AN/SSQ-101 active airborne receiver (ADAR) sonobuoy is also used on the P-8 Poseidon. Developed by Lockheed Martin, another U.S. defense contractor, AN/SSQ-101 works with other sonobuoys to provide a detailed acoustic picture of the underwater world. It is particularly useful for long-distance detection and tracking. Additionally, the P-8 Poseidon uses the AN/SSQ-125 Multi-Static Active Coherent (MAC) sonobuoy. This high-tech sonobuoy, manufactured by ERAPSCO, helps the drone better detect silent submarines by using multiple sonobuoys to create a networked sonar field.

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