An active sonar detection system may include a transmitter, which may project into the transmissive medium signals of any frequency, amplitude or phase using one or more transducers. A transmit beamformer to provide transmission directionality may also be included. Generated transmit waveforms may have different temporal and frequency spectra that are adapted for different purposes. Such purposes may include, individually or in combination: detection of stationary or moving objects and surfaces and the ability to describe, classify and/or localize them; the ability to interrogate the environment for its reverberation and propagation features and/or to discern fronts and eddies; the ability to mislead third parties and their apparatuses either by making the transmitted signal unobtrusive, or provide for stealth operations by making the signals appear to be radiating from a source other than the one from which the signals are actually radiating, or by giving the signals or an object, such as a submarine, the appearance of having a purpose other than that for which they are actually intended.