Which is a disadvantage of active sonar?

• A. Gives away own position
• B. May result in false targets
• C. Extremely overt
• D. ROE issues

Answer: (D)

When using active sonar, the biggest drawback in many operations is the need to comply with Rules of Engagement. Active sonar broadcasts can reveal your presence and intent, which can complicate or even prevent actions in sensitive areas or during delicate phases of a mission. If the ROE restricts or prohibits its use, you may be unable to exploit real-time detection capabilities, limiting your decision space and affecting mission success. While the other issues—giving away your position, false targets, or being overt—are real concerns, ROE constraints capture the broader governance and legal-operational barriers that can most significantly limit deployment of active sonar in complex environments.