Q&A · 3:16:04-3:17:06

Could a submarine disable sensors with sound?

A powerful underwater sound pulse might affect sensors in limited circumstances, but it would be difficult to protect friendly systems and an electromagnetic attack may be more practical.

Question

Could a submarine use a loud sonic pulse to damage another submarine's sensors?

Short answer

Possibly in limited cases, but the launching submarine could damage its own systems and an electromagnetic approach may be more practical.

Notes

The idea is technically conditional rather than impossible. A sufficiently intense underwater sound wave might have a limited effect on another submarine's sensors, depending on how those systems were built and protected. The main limitation is self-harm because the launching submarine and its own equipment would also be exposed to the pulse. Underwater conditions offer few easy ways to isolate friendly sensors from the energy. An electromagnetic effect might be more practical, although it would face its own underwater limitations.