AN/SSQ-86 Data Link
Communications (DLC)
Sonobuoy
The AN/SSQ-86 Data Link
Communications (DLC) sonobuoy is an A-size, expendable, non-repairable sonobuoy. It provides
limited, one-way acoustic communications from the buoy to friendly submarines. The buoy is
encoded by the aircrew prior to flight.
The DLC sonobuoy is an
expendable, acoustic communication device designed to transmit a preprogrammed message to a
submerged submarine. It consists of an omnidirectional acoustic transducer that descends
through the bottom of the sonobuoy canister to a shallow transmission depth of 75 feet. After
completing shallow depth transmissions, the transducer automatically descends to the deep
transmission depth of 350 feet. The messages are encoded through the EFS prior to launch. The
acoustic transmission frequencies are classified. The message transmission includes an address
group, an addressee group, and two word groups. The sonobuoy does not have an RF
transmitter.
The DLC, upon self-activation,
operates in an autonomous acoustic communications mode for the preset coding. The preset
coding is converted into the equivalent acoustic frequencies and transmitted from the buoy
transducer at both shallow and deep settings.
Monitoring of acoustic transmissions can be accomplished through a co-located passive buoy.
Sources and Resources
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/weaps/an-ssq-86.htm
Maintained by Robert Sherman
Originally created by John Pike
Updated Tuesday, December 29, 1998 5:20:30 AM