Group : Sonar Systems
Status : Active
Also Known As : SURTASS, Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System
Origin : United States of America
Contractor : Lockheed Martin
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2005
Total Production : 6

Twin-Line 29A (TL-29A) is a Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System (SURTASS) for surface ships based on TB-29A array architecture utilized on submarines. Lockheed Martin conducted an extensive eight months evaluation program including five sea tests that concluded in November 2005 when the TL-29A was certified by the US Navy for deployment. TL-29A was demonstrated a robust and dependable sensor system. TL-29A consists of two side-by-side arrays towed from a ships. These pair of arrays form a highly effective underwater passive acoustic sensor. The sensor can be towed at high speeds and towed in very shallow waters in the littoral environment. It provides innovative directional noise rejection capabilities thus resolving bearing ambiguities without turning the ship. Taking these characteristics into account, TL-29A is well suited to provide the US Navy with a critical detection capability against the increasing threats posed by modern diesel electric powered submarines (SSK).

The US Navy plans call for procurement of six TL-29A systems for deployment in support of SURTASS vessels operating in the Western Pacific area.