Acoustic Range
Parent Body: Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA), Bincleaves, Weymouth, Dorset,DT4 8UR

Principal Functions
Deployment of Seabed Targets and Remote Hydrophones.

General Details
The Acoustic Range contains the ISAACS (Instrumented Semi-Automatic Acoustic Calibration System) and is located on the Northern Arm of Portland Harbour breakwater at DERA Bincleaves. Its primary use is the calibration of sonar systems and hydrophones.  The facility has successfully calibrated and checked torpedo, submarine, towed array and mine hunting sonars.  It is the main access for seawater measurements and tests at Bincleaves.

Specification
The Acoustic Range has a water depth of 7-9 metres and a frequency measurement capability from 10KHz to 1MHz.  The station has both a light duty capability and a heavy duty with the former operating with transducers up to 25Kg with an angular resolution of 0.01 degrees.  The latter provides the capability to mount transducers up to 500Kg on a telescopic mast and an angular resolution of 0.1 degrees.

Special Features
Although ISAACS is situated in 7 to 9m depth of water, measurements as low as 20KHz have been performed on sonar systems.  This is due to the close near-field distance of medium size low frequency arrays, enabling calibration at ranges of 3.5 metres.  At these distances a modest directivity reduces surface and bottom reflection paths to negligible level.

Availability
The facility is available to organisations in the public and private sectors.  There are no restrictions on the type of body that can apply to use the facility.  The Range can generally be booked at short notice for periods of ½ days to several months.

Charging Basis
Cost estimates are provided together with a Scope of Work for Customer review.  Enabling Contracts can be created.

Site Access
The site has ready access for vehicles and local accommodation is available for the hirer’s staff.

Contact Information
Mr J Wade
DERA Bincleaves
Newtons Road
Weymouth
Dorset, DT4 8UR
Tel  +44 (0) 1305 764330   Fax +44 (0) 1305 764511
Email: bincleaves@dera.gov.uk