US Navy assesses unmanned mine hunting systems
Northrup Grumman’s AQS-24A Mine Detecting Sensor System has been used in tandem with the Mine Hunting Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MHU) during a demonstration for US Naval Forces Central Command in Manama, Bahrain.
The demonstration was conducted to assess the MHU’s ability to deploy, tow and recover the AQS-24A.
The MHU was remotely controlled and executed a pre-planned mission by transiting to an operational area, deploying the AQS-24A, executing a search pattern and recovering the sensor. Real-time situational awareness data and sensor sonar data were sent via tactical data link to the command and control (C2) station to ensure safe operation while maintaining mission objectives.
Capt David Honabach, PMS 406 Unmanned Maritime Systems program manager, US Navy, said: ‘We are encouraged by the progress made with MHU 1 and 2 in 5(th) Fleet. We are also pleased that we could successfully demonstrate this capability to a key coalition partner in the Arabian Gulf region and look forward to Flight 2 Mine Hunting Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) for future success.’
Tom Jones, vice president, undersea systems, Northrop Grumman, added: ‘This navy demonstration, along with the continued investments we are making across the USV and mine-hunting technology spectrum, demonstrate that Northrop Grumman is committed to assisting the navy and our coalition partners in defeating the maritime mine threat while keeping sailors out of the minefield.’
Deploying the AQS-24A from the MHU expands the system’s operational envelope for day and night operations at lower operational costs; reducing the time to clear ports, harbours, channels and sea lines of communications of threatening mines and other maritime navigation hazards.
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