Review of Research Progress on Passive Direction-of-Arrival Tracking Technology for Underwater Targets

Utilization of ocean resources and defense of national security heavily rely on underwater target tracking technology, which consequently holds significant strategic importance. The passive tracking technology for underwater target bearings, known for its extensive detection range, capability for long-term observation, and robust real-time capabilities, has emerged as a new focal point of research. This paper reviews the essential concepts, research developments, applications, and limitations of key technologies for passive underwater target bearing tracking, concentrating on three main areas: underwater target bearing estimation technology, target tracking technology, and comprehensive underwater target bearing tracking technology. Specifically, it discusses highly robust methods for tracking single or multiple underwater targets. Ultimately, this paper highlights the primary challenges currently facing research in this field and provides a perspective on future developments.