Rona Noise Range
Parent Body: Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, Inner Sound Between the Mainland and Isle of Sky, Scotland

Principal Functions
Complete noise ranging service including trials, data analysis, interpretation of results and diagnostics.

Subsidiary Functions
Provision of technical support for trials where deep quiet instrumented water space is available.

General Details
The Rona Range is situated between the Island of Skye and the Scottish mainland, the terminal complex is on the Island of Rona. The range area is approximately 12 km long and 4 km wide with an average depth of 235 m. The area is sheltered by the Hebridean Islands and the mainland of Scotland in all directions except north. This adequately screens the range from distant shipping noise usually found in the open ocean. Ambient acoustic noise levels for 75% of the time are less than, 56 dB reference 1 FPa at 20 Hz, 86 dBFPa at 630 Hz and 71 dBFPa at 100 kHz.

Specification
Rona is a facility for measuring the radiated acoustic signature of surface ships, submarines and underwater vehicles and is the only range in the UK where submarines may exercise at full speed. The range is equipped with 8 noise measurement hydrophones and 9 underwater tracking hydrophones. Data is cabled back to the terminal complex on the Island of Rona where on-shore data recording and analysis equipment allows measurements in the frequency range 1–100 kHz on vehicles travelling at speeds of 0–80 kts. The range, which provides deep, quiet, instrumented water space is available for a variety of acoustic trials.

Special Features
The range is staffed 24 hours/day, 365 days/year by a team of 22 multi-disciplinary personnel and for trials, another two Noise Range Trials Officers from a pool of seven travel to the Island from DERA Southwell at Portland. Accommodation and infrastructure are available at the terminal complex.

Availability
The facility is available to other bodies in both the private and public sector. There are no restrictions on the type of body that can apply to use the facility. No advance notice is necessary for requesting time on the facility. Time is allocated by the day.

Charging Basis
Charging rates are subject to negotiation, there is a possibility of negotiating an exchange agreement.

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

Contact Information
Rod Waldron, Business Development Manager (Sea Ranges)
Building 264
DERA Fraser
Eastney
Hants
P04 9LJ
Telephone:  023 9233 4591 Fax:  023 9233 4545
E-mail:  rwaldron@dera.gov.uk