Canadian - Digital Acoustic Surveillance Arrays

Pete Comment: I think its rare for the types of equipment below being advertised in detail publicly. Naval intelligence value usually makes the whole subject classified. So, while this information is still in the public realm I've posted it below.

[Advertising Datasheet]

DASA-2507 - Digital Acoustic Surveillance Arrays

Internet file https://omnitechelectronics.ca/products/arrays/dasa-2507/ as at February 24, 2026

Datasheet:  Part Number: DASA-2507 

DASA-2507 is a low-frequency acoustic sea-bed array platform designed for long-term area monitoring and surveillance applications. This DASA variant has 94 low-frequency hydrophones installed to form 6 linear apertures (10, 20, 40, 80, 160, 320 Hz) spanning the 1600 m array length. Apertures are centered on the array and contain 24-28 hydrophones at each center frequency.

[ https://omnitechelectronics.ca/about/ reveals some “Past and Current Clients" are

•  Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC)

•  Department of National Defence - Canada (DND)

•  General Dynamics Mission Systems Canada

•  Lockheed Martin

•  BAE Systems

•  Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI)

•  International Submarine Engineering (ISE)

•  Northrop Grumman

•  Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) - Australia

•  Canadian Coast Guard and

•  Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI)]

The array construction and digital sampling format have been designed to support a wide range of array lengths, and sensor positions, and sampling rates. DASA is a proven system with multiple deployed configurations ranging from 100 m to 1600 m long using as many as 94 hydrophones in multiple nested apertures.

DASA-2507 was designed for long-term deployments with a shore-connected cable to remote locations with limited available power. The system can also be modified as a battery-powered autonomous recording system or built in smaller versions such as DARU-2515

The lower power electronics allow for longer, smaller, shore cables and reduce the power requirements at remote operating sites.

Each DASA configuration can be customer-defined or can be selected to match from a list of predefined systems. Customers can select array length, sampling rate, and sensor count with a near-linear trade-off between these parameters.

Highlights

·         Hydrophones: 94

·         Length: 1600 m

·         Max. Depth: 2000 m

·         Apertures: 6, linear, nested

·         Segments: 5

·         Spooling Radius: 1 m

·         Power: Shore Cable

·         Deployment Duration: > 5 years

·         Aux. Sensors Connections: 6

·         Coms: Acoustic Modem, Ethernet

Area Surveillance and Tracking

DASA can be used for large area monitoring and target tracking by deploying two orthogonal arrays in the area of interest. Bearings from each array provide cross fixes that build target tracks for surveillance and area awareness.

Hydrophones

The Low-Frequency hydrophones for DASA are a low-noise, low-power design. The hydrophones attach to molded connectors on the array cable and are held in place by a protective plastic shroud. The hydrophone pressure vessel is constructed from Grade 2 Titanium and is designed for long-duration, deep water deployments. The hydrophone electronics are gain matched and simultaneously sampled. Sensor specifications are provided in the datasheet.

Side Channel Data

In addition to the acoustic samples, sensors within hydrophones and DCU measure and record diagnostic and auxiliary information including voltage, power usage, battery level (when applicable), hydrophone orientation, internal case temperature, pressure, and humidity.

Array Receiver

The DASA connects to an included Array Receiver/Controller (ARC) that manages the array power, receives sensor samples from array data buses, and computes diagnostic and health monitoring records. If enabled, the ARC will also run data processing algorithms, record data to solid-state storage, and/or send data to a remote, connected interface on a surface buoy or shore.

Segment Linkages

DASA cable segments are connected through custom low-profile linkages design to be spooled with the array cables during deployment and recovery. The linkages contain inline data repeaters and mechanical couplings that are rated to pass the full breaking strength of the array cable.

Additional Sensors

The DASA sensor bus format supports many different sensor types that can be included with the acoustic array. The system can add one or more high-frequency hydrophones (up to 192 kSps). Three-axis magnetometers can be installed in place of acoustic array channels. The acoustic channels can be configured over one or more arrays in any geometry. Systems have been configured with horizontal, vertical, circular, and orthogonal 3-axis arrays.

Data Processing

The DASA Array Receiver Controller (ARC) runs a custom Linux operating system on a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor with an FPGA coprocessor. The ARC software includes functions for array operation, logging, scheduling, health monitoring, and energy/event detectors. Omnitech Electronics provides user support and comprehensive interface definitions and data API’s that users can use to integrate additional functionality and data processing. Users can use spare processing on the ARC or add a separate coprocessor.

Similar Items

DARU-2330 Digital Acoustic Recording Unit

1000 m long. 64 hydrophones, bottom-laid, battery-powered, passive acoustic recording array

DARU-2515 Deep-water Acoustic Recording Unit

500 m long. 64 hydrophones, deep-water autonomous recording unit

DASA-2591 Circular Acoustic Surveillance Array

20 m diameter circular array. 20 low-frequency and 4 high-frequency, hydrophones

LDHA-2523 Low-power Digital Hydrophone Array

low power, 48 hydrophones, shallow water acoustic array

PASS-2447 Passive Acoustic Surveillance System

multi-aperture, 64 hydrophones, shore-connected acoustic array

TURNS-2387 Transportable Underwater Range for Naval Signatures

Portable magnetic signature measurement system

About

Omnitech Electronics designs innovative solutions for a multitude of commercial, industrial and government clients. Omnitech Electronics measures our success by the number of satisfied repeat customers.

Our core business is the design and manufacture of advanced custom electronics and solutions for challenging applications.

Company

·         Company Overview

·         Our Services

·         Contact Us

·         Standard Terms of Sale

Omnitech Electronics at 10 Akerley Blvd, Suite 1 Dartmouth, [Nova Scotia ] NS, Canada, B3B 1J4

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Separately here and below is digital acoustic surveillance technology in a more mobile mode. This video was uploaded on February 15, 2025 by Aaron of Sub Brief . It is called the Persistent Smart Acoustic Profiler (Voyager) a creation of the Navy Post Graduate School fusing two advanced technologies.

David Valance's article “Putting the UK back into AUKUS?”

David Valance at Australia’s Lowy Institute’s The Interpreter has written an excellent article:

“Putting the UK back into AUKUS?”

of February 16, 2026

at https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/putting-uk-back-aukus 

2nd US Carrier Group on way to Iran Region

US NBC News reports February 14, 2026 at https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/trump-sends-us-aircraft-carrier-ford-middle-east-iran-tensions-high-rcna258903

"The USS Ford Carrier Strike Group has been notified that they are leaving the Caribbean and headed to the Middle East, according to two U.S. officials familiar with the decision. The Ford will join the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group already in the region. The decision comes as tensions with Iran remain high."

“…The Ford’s planned deployment to the Mideast comes after President Donald Trump only days earlier suggested another round of talks with the Iranians was at hand. Those negotiations didn’t materialize as one of Tehran’s top security officials visited Oman and Qatar this week and exchanged messages with the U.S. intermediaries.”

Pete Comment

It is unclear whether the Ford Group by February 25, 2026:
-  will sail to the eastern Mediterranean and cruise there
or
- sail on through the Suez Canal - Red Sea -- Arabian Sea off Iran 
or
- more simply around the Cape of Good Hope/South Africa then north through the Indian Ocean to Arabian Sea off Iran.

This also depends on the disposition of the Lincoln group. All amounting to hugely expensive speak loudly (not softly) and carry big sticks to pursue Trump's US imposed peace through violent stand over strategies. 

Submarines?: Each carrier group is most probably being escorted by a US SSN.

Iran's submarines include 3 x Kilo (877s) medium sized SSKs, 1 x small Fateh class SSK and 20 x midget (120 tonne) Ghadir class SSKs - large in number, generally low in capability.

An example of two US strike carrier groups sailing near Iran. Map courtesy https://news.az/news/us-deploys-new-forces-to-the-middle-east-map In this case Nimitz-class carrier USS Lincoln is south of Iran. Pictured is USS Theodore Roosevelt (since departed) in the Strait of Hormuz. USS Ford by February 25, 2026 may be ready to launch raids.

Huge AUKUS Submarines Project Osborne South Australia

Without question or curiosity (such as "can the unproductive US and UK submarine industries deliver?") Australia's government owned ABC News reported a multi $Billion project on February 15, 2026 at https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-15/down-payment-for-30b-adelaide-submarine-shipyard/106346484

 "Prime Minister announces [US$2.76 billion] 'down payment' towards [US$21.2b] Adelaide submarine shipyard

In short:

The prime minister has announced [US$2.76 billion] in funding towards [US$21.2 billion] in work for the new submarine construction yard in Adelaide.

It will be identical to another shipyard building submarines in the UK.

What's next?

Construction work at the site is set to continue until 2040.

The South Australian and federal governments have released plans worth [US$21.2 billion] for a shipyard in Adelaide that will build at least eight nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS pact with the US and the UK.

[Australia's] Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that the Commonwealth would make a [US$2.76 billion] "down payment" towards the work at Osborne, with the rest of funding to "flow continuously" over the rest of the shipyard's construction, due to be complete in 2040.

On top of enabling works worth [US$1.4 billion], construction has already started on a fabrication area worth [US$3.5 billion] and a Skills and Training Academy worth [US$354 million].

The The new fabrication hall for submarines will be 420 metres long — more than twice this one at the Osborne South shipyard. 

The shipyard's developer, Australian Naval Infrastructure (ANI), a company owned by the federal government, estimated the next stage, an outfitting area, would cost [US$5.66 billion] to build, while an area for consolidation, testing, launching and commission would cost more than [US$10.6 billion].

The state government estimated at least 4,000 workers would design and build the submarine construction yard, while 5,500 workers would support nuclear-powered submarine production at its peak.

Long time frame for delivery

The submarines are being built as part of the [US$260-billion] AUKUS submarine pact announced in 2021.

It replaced a deal to build French-designed submarines, also in Adelaide.

The first part of the plan is for Australia to buy between three and five nuclear-powered submarines from the US, beginning in the early 2030s, including at two second-hand Virginia-class submarines.

Five of the eight SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines are due to be delivered by the middle of the 2050s, with the final three delivered in the 2060s.

Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead of the Australian Submarine Agency points out different parts of the new shipyard. (ABC News)
---

Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead, the director-general of the Australian Submarine Agency, said experts from the US and the UK had been in Adelaide advising the build.

He said the manufacturing process at Osborne would be "identical" to the shipyard building submarines in the UK [except no Australian expertise in handling submarine reactors!].

"Their facilities are 120 years old; ours will be the most modern submarine yard in the world,"

Vice Admiral Mead said.

Mr Albanese said the construction work and then the work building submarines would provide thousands of jobs into the future in Adelaide.

"If you're a 15 or 16 year old thinking about what am I going to do with my life, you can be assured that there will be well-paid, secure jobs here in Adelaide and you'll get … that satisfaction of seeing what you are creating as a product of your labour and knowing that it is very much your contribution as well to our national interest for decades ahead," Mr Albanese said.

"We do live in an uncertain world, but we can be certain of the economic benefit to the tune of [US$21.2 billion] going forward here in South Australia."

Much larger than frigate work

Mr Albanese met with South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas for a media conference at the Osborne South shipyard five weeks ahead of the state election.

Mr Malinauskas said the investment at Osborne South, where six Hunter class frigates are being built, was "extraordinary" but it "pales into insignificance" compared with the work for the AUKUS submarines.

"[We're] here to announce arguably the most structurally significant contribution to our economy that we will ever see," Mr Malinauskas said."

"What has been announced today completely dwarfs some of the investments that we've seen in South Australia's recent past — that boggles the mind."

While the premier said "much" of the steel for the buildings would come from Whyalla, Opposition Leader Ashton Hurn said she was hopeful a range of South Australian businesses could be part of the project.

"It's really important that we don't just become a glorified IKEA where we're bringing in products from right across the world and just assembling them here in South Australia," Ms Hurn said.

"We need to be at the heart of this manufacturing opportunity, because that's what will set us up for generations to come."

Defence Teaming Centre chief executive Libby Day says the announcement gives some certainty.

Libby Day from the Defence Teaming Centre, which brings together different parts of the defence industry, welcomed the announcement but said long-term contracts were needed for local businesses.

"We need to go a step further — we need certainty around decisions involving the contracting of local companies into the supply chain of building SSN-AUKUS," Ms Day said.”

Straits, Submarines and Law of the Sea

During peacetime and training missions international law and international relations impact submarine movements in straits and narrows even if secrecy is assumed.

Impacting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine under the 1936 Montreux Convention, Turkey has the responsibility to monitor, regulate, and police the Turkish Straits, which consist of: the Bosphorus, Sea of Marmara and the Dardanelles. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreux_Convention_Regarding_the_Regime_of_the_Straits

The Strait of Hormuz is also very topical given attacks against Iran and scope that these may soon prevent tankers from transiting this Strait https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00908320.2022.2096158#d1e158 .

On 2/07/2026 5:02 PM Shawn C Co-author of this Submarine and Nuclear Matters blog, made the very interesting points :  

“…I have stated before that the Straits of Malacca are an international passageway and governed under [the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)] https://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/part3.htm )

Only the three littoral states, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore can jointly patrol the Straits (the Thais sometimes send a warship for joint patrols), so any country sending warships to unilaterally patrol the Malacca Straits, which lies in Malaysian and Indonesian territorial waters, would be ‘frowned upon’.

No nation can stop a ship who is exercising the right of innocent passage - this is why we can see Russian shadow fleet tankers sailing past Singapore. ( https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/shadow-fleet-vessels-zombie-ships-sanctioned-cargo-oil-russia-iran-singapore-straits-5563491 )

If these ships were to pull out of the international lanes for whatever reason and enter Singapore’s territorial waters, they would immediately be stopped by Singapore’s Police Coast Guard.”

Pete Comment

Other UNCLOS aspects relate specifically to submarines.

Under UNCLOS (Article 20) the right of innocent passage for submarines is strictly regulated due to the potential threat they pose to coastal state security. To exercise innocent passage through a foreign territorial sea, submarines must navigate on the surface and show their flag.

Submerged passage without authorization constitutes a violation of the coastal state's sovereignty. For passage to be considered "innocent," it must not threaten the coastal state's peace, good order, or security, excluding activities like espionage or pollution.

Coastal states can impose restrictions, such as requiring submarines to use specific sea lanes, and can temporarily suspend innocent passage for security reasons.

This differs from "transit passage" through international straits, where submarines are permitted to remain submerged. Failure to comply with these rules can result in the coastal state ordering the submarine to leave its waters. Essentially, a submarine's right to innocent passage within 12 nautical miles of a foreign coast is limited to surfaced navigation.

Main Source: Kazuhiro Nakatani's, Submarines at Oxford Public International Law. last updated July 2008 at https://opil.ouplaw.com/display/10.1093/law:epil/9780199231690/law-9780199231690-e1839 A very comprehensive paper on the subject published under the auspices of the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law under the direction of Professor Anne Peters (2021–) and Professor Rüdiger Wolfrum (2004–2020).

Future Canadian Submarines' biggest task Monitor approaches to Arctic & other Chokepoints

Map courtesy Canadian Society and History: Geography. See much larger image here.

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From Little-Chemical5006 at reddit on February 10, 2026 at https://www.reddit.com/r/canada/comments/1r04q77/new_submarines_will_require_extra_gear_after/

The new submarines Canada plans to buy will not arrive with all the necessary equipment to operate under Arctic ice, meaning they will require modifications after delivery, the head of the navy says. This is under the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP). 

Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee said Canada will need to add under-ice gear to the boats after they arrive, such as upward-facing sonar that can detect and map overhead ice and areas of open water.

“Rather than only being worried about the bottom below us, we’re going to be worried about the ice above us, because the ice is actually less predictable,” Topshee said in an interview.

Topshee also said under-ice operations will not be a significant component of the submarines’ tasks. Instead, their biggest task will be monitoring approaches to the Arctic and other chokepoints.

Canada is seeking up to 12 new submarines and has narrowed the search to two models: one from South Korea and another from a joint German-Norwegian partnership. Ottawa is expected to pick one of these vessels this year.

This would be the largest submarine purchase in Canadian history. It’s being made at a time of heightened anxiety over the country’s sovereignty in the Arctic, as world powers, including the United States, increasingly look north for resources and shipping lanes. Canada is also under pressure to increase its military expenditures in order to hit a new, higher NATO spending target.

Topshee called the needed under-ice operation modifications “relatively simple” to accomplish, but said Canada will proceed carefully on developing its capability in the Arctic environment.

“That’s what we’re going to be targeting: to be able to come up to the surface in basically a crack of open water if we want to,” Topshee said. “Part of ability to operate under there is to be able to return safely to the surface when it’s possible.”

Topshee said the majority of the effort by the new submarine fleet will be monitoring the chokepoints in the Bering Strait, the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the transit between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, as well as the Juan de Fuca Strait between British Columbia and Washington State, the entrance to the Puget Sound and the approaches to northern Vancouver Island, Prince Rupert, B.C., and Kitimat, B.C.

Topshee said after taking delivery of the submarines, Canada will “start to work toward going under-ice, up into the Arctic, and then developing an actual under-ice capability.”

Topshee said Canada will also have to verify whether any other modifications are necessary because of the frigid temperatures of Arctic waters.