Abstract: A system using beamforming techniques in conjunction with an active or passive acoustic buoy field, where the buoy field has a plurality of buoys, each buoy employing at least one sensor attached to and extending substantially downward from that buoy so as to form a planar or conformal array. Each array buoy uses highly accurate GPS tracking devices to locate that buoy's array sensor position relative to all other buoy arrays in the known buoy field. This accurate positional data is used in conjunction with the sensor data from each depth to beamform a planar or a volumetric array.

Abstract: A sonar array comprising a support structure, an acoustic projector attached to the support structure, and a plurality of directional hydrophones attached to the support structure and arranged so as to surround the acoustic projector. The directional hydrophones are equidistantly spaced about the acoustic projector. In one embodiment, the array includes means attached to the support structure that allows the support structure to be connected to a device that effects course steering of the sonar array.