The given work investigates the influence of sonar signal waveform type on the performance of slow-moving targets detection in the presence of ambient noise, interfering reflections, mutual interference of several sonar systems operating in the same water area. The continuous wave (CW) and frequency modulated (FM) waveforms are considered along with more complex waveforms with periodic frequency modulation. The investigation of active sonar pulse types is based on the analysis of the signal properties associated with corresponding ambiguity function. For sounding signals with periodic frequency modulation the proposed processing algorithm utilizes known moving target detection methods. As a preliminary evaluation, the Matlab model is developed to demonstrate the efficiency of the processing technique. Simulation results demonstrate improvement of the detection based on the processing of signals with periodic frequency modulation. copyright by EURASIP.