What device do Submarines use to track and find their targets?

Answer 1

Underwater, submarines use a method known as Sound Navigation and Ranging, or Sonar, the same method used by bottlenose Dolphins and Whales to navigate. The type of submarine (Attack or Missile) determines the type of Sonar equipment installed. Attack submarines typically get the most advanced Sonar available, while Missile boats usually get older, less sophisticated systems. This is because their 2 missions are completely different. Missile boats listen for targets and run the other way in order to be undetected. However, an Attack boat's mission is Anti-submarine Warfare (ASW) and anti-ship warfare. In time of crisis, their job is to actively seek and destroy enemy surface and submarine targets.

All submarines have more than one type of Sonar system installed, each performing a specific acoustic function.

On the surface, submarines use classified electronics methods and Radar to find targets, but Radar isn't often used as any active signal is an automatic location giveaway to a potential enemy. This is also why submarines rarely, if ever, use active Sonar (pings) to find targets anymore. Everything is done by passive means. Active Sonar is typically only used as a final range verifier prior to a torpedo launch, but not always as modern torpedos have their own active sonar systems for finding, tracking and locking onto a target. Once a modern torpedo has a sonar lock on the target, it's next to impossible to lose it.

I was a Submarine Sonarman for 11 years - there is no cooler job aboard a fast-attack submarine, especially during battlestations during active tracking operations. If you look at my Supervisor's bio, you can see some pics from my old submarine days. I was always topside when we were on the surface for any reason, and always had a camera with me.

If you're interested in more information, read the book Blind Man's Bluff. A few of my old friends are mentioned in there, albeit by their onboard nicknames.