Yes, submarines can indeed locate each other through sound waves in the ocean using a technique called active/passive sonar. Sonar stands for "sound navigation and ranging," and it is a system that uses sound propagation to detect and locate objects underwater.
Active sonar involves a submarine emitting a pulse of sound, known as a ping, into the water. This sound wave travels through the ocean and, if it encounters an object such as another submarine, it reflects back towards the source. The submarine's sonar system receives the reflected sound wave, and by analyzing the characteristics of the echo, it can determine the presence and location of the other submarine.
Passive sonar, on the other hand, involves listening for sounds generated by other submarines or underwater objects. Submarines have sophisticated arrays of hydrophones (underwater microphones) that can detect and analyze sounds in the ocean. By analyzing the acoustic signals received from different directions, submarines can estimate the location of other submarines or detect their movements.
By combining active and passive sonar techniques, submarines can locate and track each other without the need for visual contact or precise knowledge of their exact locations. This capability is crucial for underwater warfare and surveillance operations. It's worth noting that sonar systems can be affected by various factors such as ambient noise, water temperature, and salinity, which can impact their effectiveness in different ocean environments.