Acoustic projector and method of manufacture

An underwater acoustic projector comprising one or more cylindrical shell segments, each shell segment having an even number of drivers mounted therein, and the method of manufacturing said projector. The shell segments preferably are formed with a longitudinal slot and have arcuate segments, preferably of a dielectric material extending along the sides of the slot for retaining the drivers within the shell segments. The combined lengths of the driver is between 70% and 90% of the shell segment length.