Northrop Grumman to support US Navy USV minehunting
Northrop Grumman will support the US Navy’s integration of the AQS-24A Side Look Sonar System onto an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) under a new contract announced on 10 June. The integration will enhance the navy’s ability to look for bottom and volume mines remotely.
The repackaging of the sonar for USV use will build upon the proven capabilities of the Northrop Grumman-built AQS-24A.
The AQS-24A is an airborne minehunting search system, which – along with its predecessors, the AQS-24 and the AQS-14 - has been used by the US Navy for the past 28 years.
The AQS-24A is a high-speed minehunting system that is primarily towed from the MH-53E helicopter, but has been tested from USVs since 2002 by Northrop Grumman. The system's high-resolution side-scan sonar detects, localises and classifies both bottom and moored mines in real time at high area coverage rates.
Tom Jones, vice president of Undersea Systems, Northrop Grumman, said: ‘This is a great step forward for those who have been involved in USVs and minehunting for as many years as the Naval Undersea Warfare Center and Northrop Grumman. The results of this effort could apply to future USV programmes, both in the US Navy as well as the navies of potential coalition partners such as Australia.’
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS
The service has been using a Directed Requirement (DR) approach to speed up the deployment of a Medium Range Reconnaissance capability.
-
AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024
AeroVironment’s portfolio will grow thanks to the eVTOL P550 aimed at battalion-level tactical forces.
-
Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards
The Royal Australian Air Force is advancing its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities across three key programmes as it works with the likes of Boeing and Northrop Grumman to reshape Australia’s defence strategy.
-
FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official
Prototypes from Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems recently passed through MOSA conformance trials and flight tests.
-
Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities
Funds for the second phase of this effort will be allocated in the US Department of Defense (DoD) FY2026 budget request.
-
Exail to supply Caméléon unmanned demining robots to Belgium Armed Forces
The Caméléon LG UGV includes remote operational capabilities and real-time hazard detection.