EMATT

The Expendable Mobile Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Target, known as EMATT, has become a cornerstone in modern naval training exercises. Designed to replicate the acoustic and dynamic behavior of submarines, this system provides a realistic and cost-effective solution for anti-submarine warfare training. Its expendable nature ensures that exercises can be conducted without the burden of complex maintenance or heavy logistical requirements, making it a highly efficient tool for both open-ocean and littoral environments.

Photo Credit: Lockheed Martin

Shaped in the standard “A-size” sonobuoy form, EMATT can be deployed from a wide range of platforms including surface ships, fixed-wing aircraft, and rotary-wing helicopters. This versatility allows naval forces to integrate the system seamlessly into joint training operations, ensuring that crews across different domains can practice coordinated detection and tracking of submarine targets. The compact design also makes it easy to transport and launch, further reducing operational overhead.

Beyond its physical design, EMATT excels in replicating submarine-like acoustic signatures. It can generate discrete passive tones, broadband noise, active emissions, and even echo repeats from sonar and torpedo systems. These features allow operators to experience a wide spectrum of submarine behaviors, enhancing their ability to identify and classify underwater threats. The system’s ability to mimic realistic acoustic conditions ensures that training scenarios closely resemble actual combat environments.

In addition to its acoustic capabilities, EMATT demonstrates dynamic maneuverability that challenges operators during exercises. It can alter its course, depth, and speed in response to active sonar, simulating evasive submarine tactics. This responsiveness forces crews to adapt quickly, sharpening their skills in tracking and engagement. By presenting a moving and reactive target, EMATT ensures that training remains both demanding and authentic.

The training benefits extend across the anti-submarine warfare community, encompassing surface ships, aircraft, and submarines. Crews can practice detection, tracking, and weapon deployment in varied conditions, whether in calm seas or rough waters, during daylight or nighttime operations. The expendable nature of the system allows for repeated exercises without concern for recovery or refurbishment, making it a practical choice for sustained training programs.

Cost efficiency is another defining advantage of EMATT. Compared to other training targets, it delivers advanced capabilities at a fraction of the expense, enabling navies to conduct frequent and comprehensive exercises without straining budgets. This affordability ensures that even complex multi-platform scenarios can be rehearsed regularly, strengthening overall readiness.

Since 2016, the MK 39 Mod 3 has represented the latest evolution of the EMATT system. Developed by Lockheed Martin, this version incorporates improvements that align with the operational needs of the United States Navy. Its continued production underscores the importance of reliable, expendable training tools in preparing naval forces for the challenges of modern undersea warfare.

With its blend of acoustic realism, dynamic maneuverability, and operational efficiency, EMATT stands as a vital asset in the training arsenal of today’s naval forces. It not only enhances the proficiency of crews across multiple platforms but also ensures that exercises remain cost-effective and logistically simple. In an era where undersea threats continue to evolve, EMATT provides the realism and adaptability required to keep anti-submarine warfare skills sharp and mission-ready.