Maritime Patrol Aircraft - Sensors

Sensors

Maritime patrol aircraft are typically fitted with a wide range of sensors:

• Radar to detect surface shipping movements. Radar can also detect a submarine snorkel or periscope, and the wake it creates.
• Magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) to detect the iron in a submarine's hull. The MAD sensor is typically mounted on an extension from the tail or is trailed behind the aircraft on a cable to minimize interference from the metal in the rest of the aircraft;
• Sonobuoys self-contained sonar transmitter/receivers dropped into the water to transmit data back to the aircraft for analysis;
• ELINT sensors to monitor communications and radar emissions;
• Infrared cameras for detecting exhaust streams and other sources of heat and are useful in monitoring shipping movements and fishing activity.
• Visual inspection using the aircrew's eyes, in some cases aided by searchlights or flares.

A modern military maritime patrol aircraft typically carries a dozen or so crew members, including relief flight crews, to effectively operate the equipment for 12 hours or more at a time. Small (often carrier-based) ASW or anti-ship aircraft are not normally considered to be MPAs. These include Kyushu Q1W, SB2U Vindicator, Breguet Alizé, Fairey Gannet, Grumman AF Guardian, Grumman S-2 Tracker and Lockheed S-3 Viking.