The Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman a contract for the integration of a toward sonar system onto an unmanned surface vehicle, the company said yesterday.
Northrop Grumman will use its AQS-24A side search sonar system designed to detect mines.
Northrop Grumman has adapted the sonar for use on USVs. The AQS-24A and its predecessor systems have traditionally been towed by a helicopter.
The system is designed to detect, localize and classify bottom and moored mines.
“The results of this effort could apply to future USV programs, both in the U.S. Navy as well as the navies of potential coalition partners such as Australia,” said Tom Jones, Northrop Grumman’s vice president for undersea systems.