Q&A · 3:15:34-3:15:52

Early dipping sonar from naval airships

Naval-airship hydrophone experiments are identified as early dipping-sonar work, even if the technique was not consistently successful.

Anti-Submarine Warfare Naval Airships Sonar World War I

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Question

Were naval-airship hydrophones an early form of dipping sonar?

Short answer

Yes. They were early dipping-sonar experiments, though the method was not always successful.

Notes

Hydrophones used from naval airships were an early form of dipping sonar. The method was not always successful, an important qualification when tracing a technology's origins through experimental service. These experiments link First World War naval aviation with later anti-submarine sensing methods.