Spatial Signature Analysis of Submarine Magnetic Anomaly at Low Altitude

To study the magnetic signature of submarines and improve the performance of magnetic anomaly detectors in the antisubmarine warfare, the generation mechanism of the submarine magnetic field (SMF) is first introduced. Magnetic fields produced by submarines are classified into five major types by the cause and state of submarines. Besides, the prediction model of the SMF at low altitude is proposed. Based on the surface integral method, the continuation formula of the magnetic field is derived from the vector potential. According to the magnetic field of a real mockup, the distribution of the SMF is obtained by the continuation formula, and the data of the magnetic anomaly caused by submarines are produced at different heights. Then, the spatial signature of the magnetic anomaly is analyzed. The result of analysis shows that the magnetic anomaly of ferromagnetic submarines has evident characteristics. The distribution of the magnetic anomaly is spatially symmetrical, and the peak values of its components and total field occur in special positions. Furthermore, the signal strength of the magnetic anomaly is sufficiently large to be detected. So the identification of underwater magnetic target can be realized by the special magnetic signature.