Optimal Search for Underwater Targets for Ships Equipped with Hull Mounted Sonar Using Genetic Algorithm

When a surface ship utilizes a hull-mounted sonar (HMS) to search for a target located in the water at sea, the maneuver path of the surface ship depends on the maximum detection range of the sonar. Because sonar utilizes sound waves, it is significantly influenced by the marine environment and the detection probability depends on the location and sound wave incident angle of the target. This study aims to calculate the detection probability by applying the actual marine environment, and proposes an optimal search path calculation method that maximizes the detection probability based on a genetic algorithm. The proposed optimal search path calculation method was proven to be effective via simulations in determining the optimal search.