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Northrop Grumman has successfully completed initial in-water testing of the AQS-24 mine hunting sonar and next-generation Deploy and Retrieval (D&R) payload, operated from the Mine Countermeasures Unmanned Surface Vessel (MCM USV).
The AQS-24 D&R demonstrated the unmanned operations needed to perform a mine hunting mission off the MCM Mission Package aboard the littoral combat ship (LCS).
The MCM USV tests are ahead of planned user-operated evaluation system testing of the AQS-24 on LCSs. The company has multiple versions of the AQS-24 to provide mine hunting capabilities for navies.
Alan Lytle, vice president, undersea systems, Northrop Grumman, said, "Achieving this important milestone demonstrated reliable unmanned mine hunting operations, while using operationally representative hardware from the LCS MCM Mission Module."
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 (RTMA) of all recorded mission data.
"This allows the program to begin preparation for further at-sea testing of the system for extended duration missions in rigorous conditions," Lytle added.
RTMA significantly reduces MCM detect to engage timelines, as well as the real-time re-acquisition and identification of bottom mines following traditional mine hunting sorties.
Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, space, strike, and logistics and modernisation to customers worldwide.
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