Submarine Sonar Operators --> Good sound engineers?

[snoopy4ever]

This is a question I've got a loooong time ago,.. I have no good knowledge about submarines, nor any military topic. But may be some of you guys have checked these persons are really skilled on "listening" and identifying sound sources. I've noticed nowadays they also use computers and stuff.., but I guess they really need a good pair of ears to get the job done. Is it common to find them on the recording Business after they finish the service?.., What kind of training would they get?, Just curious about this profession.

Thanks for your comments

Snoopy.


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: snoopy4ever on 2004-08-12 11:44 ]</font>

[blazesboylan]

I can't comment on sub operators cuz I don't know any. But in the old days it was mainly telephone company engineers who got into the recording and studio engineering biz.

Subs have been using computers for a long time. The military is probably responsible for a lot of the digital signal processing techniques we have available.

Cheers,

Johann

[mr swim]

As I understand it a lot of the sonar operators job has been computerised. This was one of the first applications of 'intelligent' software, which gets 'trained' (calibrated) to spot different types of engine noise while filtering out the (quite unpredictable) background noises.

Anything suspicious it spits to the sonar operator (with suggestions) who then makes the final analysis of what the noise is ...

A mate of mine's dad was working on this stuff, by the way (and trying to design 3d sonar) ... many years back !

Will.

[samplaire]

Hmm. I think those guys are trained (and used to) specific sounds and specific conditions and at specific (limited in range) frequencies. Besides they are underwater where the pressure affect their ears. Just my 2 cents