Abstract: Extendable air-based line arrays of directional projectors are provided with the arrays affixed and parallel to a ship hull. An anchor and a vibration isolator are affixed to the hull and the arrays in which the anchor and isolator separate the arrays from the hull. Each of hydraulically-actuated arms rotatably connect at a cam to an arm stop affixed to the anchor. A sound vibration dampener is positioned between the arm stops. The arms are capable of extending the directional projectors to an activation position with the projectors forming narrow beams into the water to become sonar waves that reflect from a target. The reflections from the target are received with a hydrophone on the ship.

Abstract: A method for designing an acoustic array includes establishing a desired beam pattern, acoustic wavelength and beamwidth for the array. Geometric parameters are calculated from these constraints. The array is modeled as a plurality of elements positioned in accordance with the geometric parameters. An amplitude shading function is calculated. An array of acoustic elements is constructed having an area calculated from the calculated amplitude shading function. An acoustic array designed by this process is further provided.