The DCL systems consist of an active source emitter which sends high-frequency pings into the water.
The system is also combined with a passive acoustic towed array specifically designed for torpedo detection.
The passive acoustic array is able to analyse the structured sound emanating from a torpedo and thereby classify the weapon type and mode of operation.
Two teams were building alternative DCL demonstration systems, the first to test was Ultra Electronics who in 2006 successfully resolved a salvo of torpedoes.
This differs from the UK S2170 Surface Ship Torpedo Defence solution which utilises soft-kill.