Function: Shallow water search sonar.



History: The USNS Hayes was laid down Nov. 12, 1969; launched July 2, 1970, to the Ready Reserve on June 10, 1983 and transferred to James River (Maritime Administration) for lay-up in 1984 having been too costly to operate. Under FY86 program, Hayes was converted to an Acoustic Research Ship; reclassified T-AG 195 and completed in early 1992 after five years' work in two shipyards.





Description: The Shallow Water Intermediate Search System (SWISS) is a dual-frequency towed side-scan sonar system mounted inside a torpedo shaped tow body. The sonar is towed behind a vessel at slow speeds, generally from one to five knots. Sonar signals are processed producing both an analog and digital display of features on the ocean bottom. Trained operators interpret these displays to identify potential targets. The low frequency is generally used for primary searching and the higher frequency can give an extremely fine grain trace of bottom features and contacts. This allows for detailed analysis of the contacts.





General Characteristics, Shallow Water Intermediate Search System



Propulsion:

Electrical





Length:

3 feet (0.9144 meters)





Diameter:

6 inches (15.24 centimeters)







Maximum Operating Depth:

5,000 feet (1,524 meters)





Weight:

Less than 50 pounds (>22.68 kilograms)