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Planes and ships hunting for the missing Malaysian jetliner are zeroing in on a targeted patch of the Indian Ocean. Here are some of the tools they're using to narrow the search area.

A multi-pronged search

A look at the various methods being used to detect the pings emitted by the missing Malaysia Airlines' black box.

1. Sonobuoys

Once landing in the ocean, their case dismantles to deploy a floating buoy that dangles a hydrophone listening device.

Despite being World War 2-era technology, their advantage is that they produce less noise disturbance than ships and planes.

2. Pinger Locator

Ships tow these hydrophones through the water hoping to pick up signals.

3. Towed acoustic system

A side scan sonar maps the ocean floor, captures images and records GPS locations.

4. Autonomous underwater vehicle

Remote underwater vessels then scour the ocean floor and take high resolution photos.

Note: Diagram is schematic and not to scale
Trish McAlaster / The Globe and Mail
Source: Reuters