LAUSR

Observations of non-Rayleigh acoustic backscatter in data taken during the 2015 Littoral Continuous Active Sonar (LCAS) experiment are discussed using K-distribution shape parameter and comparison with spatial correlation width estimates. Data were collected using the Five Octave Research Array (FORA) cardioid aperture in a towed, roughly monostatic configuration. Several tracks were repeatedly measured using differing signal bands and pulse lengths allowing the use of matched filter envelope and K-distribution statistics to characterize returns in several pulse parameter configurations. Correlation width estimates are compared with non-Rayleigh regions found using shape parameter. Early work uses shallow broadside angles and vessel travel to estimate statistics for large regions providing an efficient search for clutter events. [Work supported by Office of Naval Research.]