Image Soft

Underwater situational awareness, art to explore, analyse and reveal underwater activity, is a highly specialized defence domain, and this capability is required specially to defend against modern attacks from the sea. And not just submarines, but also the detection of novel underwater threats, like UUVs, SDVs and divers. As recent events indicate, also critical assets on seabed, such as energy and telecommunication lines are at risk. This calls for a capable and state-of-the-art surveillance system. Mastering the maritime domain awareness has been a challenge so far; only a few expert system suppliers, such as Image Soft Oy (“IS”) have perfected the art of signal processing and machine learning to maximize operational performance of Navies and other Maritime operators.

Next generation solutions for Underwater Surveillance

Successful detection of underwater threat is always the result of seamless cooperation of latest technologies and human competencies. Since the introduction of machine learning and utilization of neural networks, complex acoustic environments have become manageable. The novel system can also consider multiple sensor data fusion and analyse sounds beyond human hearing at both ends of the frequency spectrum. The interpretation of signals can now increasingly be left to the advanced algorithms.

“The paradigm shift is being based on vast development in processing power, smart algorithms and machine learning”, states Pekka Santanen, Project Director at Image Soft.

IS UNWAS, Image Soft Underwater Surveillance System, provides a primary underwater passive sonar surveillance platform with map-based user interface and acoustic data analytics capabilities to detect target type, position and possibly identification, also in multi-target situations.

IS UNWAS is designed for monitoring and analysing mission on 24/7 basis. All acoustic raw data is stored in the ring buffer until the relevant sample is stored for post analysis.

The open communication interface of IS UNWAS allows combining the input from other sensors via C2, like radars and active sonars, and to present the full tactical picture for e.g. target acquisition. Typically, IS UNWAS serves as an early warning system of approaching underwater threats, but with its portable sensor concept it is also fully applicable in protecting dedicated areas by detecting open and closed-circuit divers.

IS UNWAS has been developed and successfully tested in the most difficult acoustic environment: The Finnish coastline. The waters of Gulf of Finland are littered with shoals and thousands of islands that form a truly formidable acoustic labyrinth with multi-path sound propagation and reflections. Additional complication is sea ice, which is a significant source of noise and reflections.

True-to-Life Simulators for Underwater Surveillance and Tactical Training

Mastering underwater surveillance and establishing effective training has been a challenge for the national operators. To solve this Image Soft offers a mission-critical, true-to-life simulated training environment for reliable underwater surveillance and tactical training.

The capability to create different missions and targets gives unlimited possibilities to improve the skills in various conditions, even in stressful conditions. IS UNWAS Simulator is identical to the operational surveillance system in terms of analysing tools and the user interface. The company’s strong and versatile background in maritime simulators made it possible to create the IS Ship Editor, a software module that enables the instructor to create realistic sound signatures of vessels, and their movements. IS UNWAS Simulator can be integrated in the same virtual entirety with IS Full Mission Bridge Simulator, so the comprehensive ASW mission with surveillance system and e.g. patrol boat with active sonar and effectors can be simulated.

“We are using the latest gaming engines to build more realistic multi-bridge sessions that help in training for anti-submarine operations. This is bolstered by the command-and-control chain and simulated weapons,” says Mr. Santanen.

Highly skilled operating crew is crucial for successful underwater surveillance mission. IS product family offers a full suite of naval training simulators tailored to train crews for any contingency. This helps trainees to act under stressful conditions and to improve their skills in identifying and combating underwater targets.