This Product Survey covers ‘conventional' side-scan sonar systems. The side-scan is also known as side-looking sonar. Sidescan sonar systems form an essential part of many hydrographic surveys producing an image of the seabed.

The first commercial side-scan sonar was the Kelvin-Hughes Transit Sonar, a converted echo-sounder with a singlechannel, pole-mounted transducer introduced in the early 1960s. A team led by Martin Klein at Edgerton, Germeshausen & Grier (later E.G. & G., Inc.) developed the first successful towed, dual-channel commercial side-scan sonar system from 1963 to 1966. One of the first jobs executed

with the system was to help archaeologists find sunken ships. Since then, the systems have been improved with the introduction of high-frequency systems followed by improved dual-channel systems and dualfrequency systems. Although the GeoAcoustics SS981 is still a fully analogue system, nowadays most systems use digital technology with digitation in the towfish. In addition, chirp and ethernet technologies have found their way to side-scan sonar systems. In order to reach greater

depths, the systems can be integrated into ROV/AUV systems. The Edgetech 2200 series is specially developed for use in userprovided AUV systems. Other systems, such as the CMax CM2 system (despite the towfish being made from stainless steel), are relatively lightweight and easy to transport from one location to another. This Product Survey shows a wide variety of side-scan sonar products, each intended to best serve your needs and present the best possible image of your area of interest.

Hydro international is again very grateful to all the manufacturers who contributed to this Product Survey and exposed their products to scrutiny.