AQS-24 sonar in new testing
Northrop Grumman’s AQS-24 mine hunting sonar has completed initial in-water testing of a next-generation Deploy and Retrieval payload, the company announced on 6 January.
During the test, the AQS-24 was operated from the Mine Countermeasures Unmanned Surface Vessel (MCM USV), demonstrating the unmanned operations needed to perform a mine hunting mission off the MCM mission package aboard the US Navy’s littoral combat ship (LCS).
The AQS-24B is a deployed system which uses side-scan sonar for real-time detection, localisation and classification of bottom and moored mines in addition to a laser line scanner for precise optical identification. Integration of the AQS-24 sonar with USVs allows for the real-time transmission of all AQS-24 data to a remote sonar operator, who can then commence real-time mission analysis of all recorded mission data.
The MCM USV tests are ahead of planned user-operated evaluation system testing of the AQS-24 on the LCS.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Ireland orders Thales towed array sonar]()
Ireland orders Thales towed array sonar
Ireland has a large Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) which extends 370km (200nm) offshore and contains 75% of the transatlantic subsea cables which carry $10 trillion in financial transactions daily. The country is investing to increase protection and surveillance of these waters.
-
![US Navy seeks industry partners to address pressing research needs]()
US Navy seeks industry partners to address pressing research needs
The Office of Naval Research will host an Industry Engagement Day in August aiming at building new partnerships and advancing its science and technology initiatives in multiple areas.
-
![Raytheon awarded $1.2 billion in contracts for AN/SPY-6(V) radars for the US Navy]()
Raytheon awarded $1.2 billion in contracts for AN/SPY-6(V) radars for the US Navy
Under the most recent contract, the US Navy will receive four additional AN/SPY-6(V) radars, increasing the number of radars under contract to 42. The radars are considered key for expanding the navy’s capability for air defence.
