Uncrewed craft could extend a frigate's sonar coverage and transmit actively while other sensors listen passively. Their transmissions would reveal the convoy's position over a wide area. The proposed benefit is that approaching closely would become more dangerous for a submarine or an uncrewed attacker. An opponent might then choose a missile attack from farther away, where the convoy's surface-to-air missiles and point defenses could engage it. This accepts the loss of concealment in exchange for a more hazardous approach and a different defensive engagement.
Notable Point · 30:35-31:42
Why a convoy might deliberately broadcast active sonar
Distributed active and passive sonar could make a close submarine approach more dangerous, encouraging attacks that the convoy's other defenses can engage.