SONAR stands for

SONAR is an acronym that stands for Sound Navigation and Ranging [1]. It is a technology that utilizes sound waves to navigate, communicate, and detect objects underwater, such as submarines, icebergs, and the seafloor. The system operates by exploiting the acoustic properties of water, which transmits sound more efficiently than air. There are two primary types of sonar: active and passive. Active sonar functions through echolocation, where a pulse (or 'ping') is emitted and its echo is detected after bouncing off an object [1]. Passive sonar is a listening-only device used to detect noise sources like marine life or ships without emitting any signals [1]. Developed significantly after the Titanic disaster and during the World Wars, sonar remains a critical tool for naval operations, hydrographic surveys, and commercial fishing [1].

Sources

1. [1] https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/marine/marine-species/cetaceans/sonar-seismic-impacts