Soviet atmospheric acoustics research

The development of low observable air vehicles by the U.S. coupled with the historic propensity of the Soviet Union toward the defense of its border raises the possibility of Soviet development of acoustic systems for detection and tracking of air vehicles as part of such defenses. Soviet research in atmospheric acoustics are reviewed and assessed. Topics considered relevant were aircraft noise, background acoustic noise, propagation, meteorological remote sensing, microphone technology, processing of acoustic signals, and acoustic-gravity waves and ionospheric detection. An indication is provided of the maturity of the Soviet technology base required for the development of potential acoustic detection and tracking systems.