[alexvoda]

I wonder if an active sonar array would be desirable. It would of course be easy to locate the beacons but they would probably be relatively cheap. Also, that much sonar noise would probably be bad for marine life. Would it give us capabilities we currently do not have?

[Tepix]

It's not just the location of the active beacon that you're giving away. It also tells the enemy in which regions of the world's oceans you are listening.

[alexvoda]

If you cover the entire ocean than that is not an issue.

But meanwhile I think I figured out that such an array would be a major issue because once the locations of the beacons is known, they will effectively turn every passive sonar into active sonar. Therefore it can not provide an asymmetrical informational advantage even if the investment would be asymmetrical.

[Tepix]

> If you cover the entire ocean than that is not an issue.

Covering all oceans with active sonar will probably kill a lot of marine wildlife.

Not to mention all your beacons in enemy waters will be destroyed, if not many more.

[alexvoda]

I was not asking about feasibility or externalities. I do not consider it a good idea. I was just asking about military usefulness. And as I said, after reflecting, I suspect even from that POV it would be detrimental.