"A question about submarines, sonar and drones." Topic

If a submarine were to use active sonar, would anything it detected also be detected by another friendly submarine that was using passive sonar?

As an extension to this question, what if a submarine had a pack of underwater drones supporting it, each of which could emit active sonar pulses. By cycling the drones one at a time could the submarine generate an underwater plot without having to become active itself?

Part of the problem with the first idea is the other vessel(s) would have to know the EXACT position of the transmitting sub and when it transmitted.

When subs do ping they tend to ping ONCE to get an exact range and bearing to the target. This also applies to your second point, and the problem with subs using detached drones running passive is: "How do you get the information back to the sub?"

"Run silent, run deep" is as valid today as when it was first implemented.

This wiki page on bistatic sonar is worth a look

link

well since the passive sonar will know where the active sonar is as soon as it pings knowing where the active system is not a problem at all. The big problem is the active system is also painting all your own ships for the other sides passive sonars to see/hear. Its a sword that cuts both ways.

@DonaldCox what you describe being done with drones is now done with sonar buoys.