Fuzzy whale optimisation algorithm: a new hybrid approach for automatic sonar target recognition

In this paper, a radial basis function neural network (RBF-NN) automatic sonar target recognition system is proposed. For the RBF-NN training phase, a whale optimisation algorithm (WOA) developed with a fuzzy system has been used (which is called FWOA). The reason for using the fuzzy system is the lack of correct identification of the boundary between the two stages of exploration and exploitation. Thus, the tuning of the effective parameters of the WOA is left to the fuzzy system of the Mamdani type. RBF-NN was trained by chimp optimisation algorithm (ChOA), genetic algorithm (GA), Evolution Strategy (ES), league championship algorithm (LCA), grey wolf algorithms (GWO), gravitational search algorithm (GSA), and WOA to compare the proposed algorithm. The measured criteria are convergence speed, ability to avoid local optimisation, and classification rate. The simulation results showed that FWOA with 97.49% classification accuracy rate in sonar data performed better than the other seven benchmark algorithms.