The Royal Netherlands Navy’s Van Hengel Spengler Award has been awarded to Jordy San José Sánchez for his research into improving Target Motion Analysis.
The award was presented during last night’s (6 November) Maritime Awards Gala in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Relative Target Motion Analysis
On board the submarines of the Royal Netherlands Navy, passive sonar is an important tool for the detection and localisation of other ships. A sonar analysis is used to establish the bearings and frequencies of a ship. A mathematical model is then used to calculate its location. This method is referred to as Target Motion Analysis (TMA).
Sánchez examined the options for improving the TMA process. He compared the classic approach with two new techniques, including relative TMA. This showed that relative TMA provided better results in many situations.
The end result of the research was a software tool that has now been implemented on board the submarine Zr.Ms. Zeeleeuw, so that the crew can benefit from the improvements in operational imaging.
Video of the award being presented at the Maritime Awards Gala:
Other Nominees
The other nominees for this award were Guus van Fulpen, who researched the reuse of residual heat on frigates by means of integrating absorption chillers in the water cooling systems for diesel engines, and Leon Rietveld who set out to examine the possibilities of optimising the propulsion on submarines with the use of batteries.
Royal Netherlands Navy Van Hengel-Spengler Award
The Maritime Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) Van Hengel-Spengler Award is presented to the best operational innovation, designed by students up to 35 years of age. The winning research has to be able to lead to new insights, concepts or innovations, that contribute to improving the operational deployment of naval units.
Picture: Jordy San José Sánchez receives the Maritime RNLN Van Hengel-Spengler Award at the Maritime Awards Gala (by SWZ|Maritime/G.J. de Boer).
