Prairie Masker
The prairie masker system is used on military ships to reduce the noise they emit. This makes it difficult to locate them using enemy sonar .
The prairie / masker system consists of two components that are usually only used together:
Prairie
The prairie component creates small air bubbles on the propeller . These change and reduce the background noise of the ship. In addition, cavitation is prevented at high speed , as the air bubbles replace the water gas bubbles.
Masker
The masker component uses a compressor to generate many small air bubbles under the hull, which are emitted through a kind of belt. These reflect the sound, the noise emissions decrease. Typically this system is used near the engine room, where the loudest noises are made. Isolating a ship so completely is not an option, as your own sonar cannot penetrate the system (exception: tow sonar ).
Applications
The Prairie Masker System is used at least by the United States Navy on many surface vessels, e.g. B. Destroyers and cruisers . The system is also an important part of submarine hunting .