US Navy completes testing of Q-20C
The US Navy has completed developmental testing of the Q-20C variant of the AN/AQS-20C towed mine-hunting sonar system, NAVSEA announced on 8 April.
The Q-20C variant features advanced acoustic and electro-optic sensing capabilities to detect, localise and classify bottom, close-tethered, moored and volume-moored mines. It includes improved capabilities, including the ability to search in multiple modes in the water column, which prepares the system to be integrated with its intended tow platform, the MCM unmanned surface vehicle (MCM USV) in 2020.
Recommendations from the test team will now be reviewed by the technical team for incorporation into the Q-20C for further evaluation.
The MCM USV is a long endurance, semi-autonomous, diesel-powered, all-aluminium surface craft that supports the deployments of various MCM payloads including Q-20C. It is part of the Littoral Combat Ship’s MCM mission package.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![AUKUS advance on UUVs contrasts with Virginia-class compromise]()
AUKUS advance on UUVs contrasts with Virginia-class compromise
The AUKUS partnership is accelerating uncrewed undersea capability while its submarine arm inches forward, and Australia’s decision to settle for three in-service Virginia-class boats raises questions about industrial risk, dependency and whether Pillar II may deliver meaningful capability long before Pillar I can.
-
![Peru partnership may serve as a template for South Korean naval exports into South America]()
Peru partnership may serve as a template for South Korean naval exports into South America
With a growing pipeline of naval modernisation programmes in South America, South Korean companies could be set to expand their presence in the region as recent contract wins highlight growing collaboration.
-
![AUKUS plan B? Japan’s submarines stopgap gains traction]()
AUKUS plan B? Japan’s submarines stopgap gains traction
Australia’s Collins-class life of type extension has revived debate over whether Canberra needs a contingency plan as risks to every stage of the AUKUS pathway mount. With Japan newly open to exports, the case for a diesel-electric stopgap is gaining traction.
