AN/SSQ-110/A Extended Echo
Ranging (EER)
Sonobuoy
The AN/SSQ-110/A Extended Echo Ranging (EER) sonobuoy is an A-size, expendable, non-repairable sonobuoy that is a commandable, air-dropped, high source level acoustic source. The AN/SSQ-110 EER sonobuoy operates on one of 31 selectable RF channels and is composed of two sections. The upper section is called the control buoy and is similar to the upper electronics package of the AN/SSQ-62 DICASS sonobuoy. The lower section consists of two Signal, Underwater Sound (SUS) explosive payloads of Class A explosive weighing 4.2 pounds each. The arming and firing mechanism is hydrostatically armed and detonated. The sonobuoy relays, by VHF FM transmission, the sonobuoy initialization signal and the confirmation signal acknowledging receipt of the command signal.
The SSQ-110A EER includes several improvements and modifications to the AN/SSQ-110 EER design. The AN/SSQ-110A EER includes the EFS feature. EFS allows the selection of one of 99 RF channels. Additionally, the sonobuoy adds a classified depth setting for a total number of two depth settings. Upon deployment, the AN/SSQ-110A EER can be sent to its deeper depth setting via UHF radio commands.
All compatible ASW aircraft or OTS can expend the EER by shipboard personnel. Upon activation, the payloads are suspended approximately fifteen to twenty feet below the surface. The sonobuoy VHF transmitter transmits on the pre-assigned RF channel for a specified period to indicate successful launch. The payloads remain unarmed until the command to deploy is received from the aircraft. The buoy transmits for a specified period on the pre-assigned VHF channel to indicate reception of command signals.
Sources and Resources
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/weaps/an-ssq-110.htm
Maintained by Robert Sherman
Originally created by John Pike
Updated Tuesday, December 29, 1998 5:20:30 AM