Besides the campus in Thrikkakara, NPOL has an offsite setup of underwater acoustic research facility at Idukki Lake, 100 km east of Kochi.
The Physical Oceanographic conditions which will decide the propagation of the sound waves inside water is studied with the help of DRDO's Research Vessel INS Sagardhwani and in-house developed Ocean models.
Different Sonar Range Prediction models are also developed by NPOL in the recent years which are used by Indian Navy.
[2][3] On 29 October 2024, NPOL placed an order for a new Acoustic Research Ship (ARS) with the Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata.
The vessel will have diesel-electric propulsion and 3 deck cranes will be fitted on board to handle research equipment.
The ARS will be able to deploy, tow, and retrieve a variety of equipment, including acoustic modules; conduct high-resolution surveys of sound velocity profiles in time and/or space; and gather data on ocean tides and currents for use in survey optimisation, underwater mooring design, and offshore deployments.
The ARS will also be equipped with a dynamic positioning mechanism that will enable it to hold its place until Sea State 4.