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AN/AQS-20A Minehunting Sonar System | | | Description
The AN/AQS-20A Mine Hunting Sonar is designed for the detection, classification, localization, and identification of sea mines. The AN/AQS-20A has over 2,900 hours of testing tow time, with proven performance on three platforms: the MH-53E and MH-60S helicopters, as well as the and AN/WLD-1 Remote Minehunting System (RMS). The AN/AQS-20A system is comprised of acoustic and optical sensors housed in a towed underwater body which can maintain operator-selected depths below the surface or heights above the bottom. | | | Background
Considered the U.S. Navy’s standard for mine hunting, the AN/AQS-20A is an advanced helicopter and remote subsurface vehicle, towed, mine-hunting sonar system. The AN/AQS-20A system, teamed with the Remote Multi-Mission Vehicle (RMMV) comprises the RMS. The AN/AQS-20A incorporates five separate sonar sensors in a compact, lightweight and hydrodynamically stable towed body. It uses state-of-the-art imaging sonars, signal processing, and computer algorithms to provide real-time, computer-aided detection and classification against the full spectrum of threat mines. The AN/AQS-20A automatically localizes mine-like objects and provides the operator with a visual image and a contact data list. All mission data is recorded by the host platform for post-mission analysis.
The AN/AQS-20A’s computer processing power and advanced signal processing, coupled with its portability, reduces the amount of time required to search an area, while significantly increasing search-rate agility. By reducing the size of the platform and the number of crew required to deploy the system, the AN/AQS-20A safely and efficiently consolidates expansive mine-sweeping operations that previously required a large mine warfare platforms manned by more than 80 crew members. This low-risk approach gives the fleet a near term, organic mine countermeasures capability that meets all Navy mine countermeasures requirements. The AN/AQS-20A maximizes integration flexibility on a variety of air, surface, or subsurface platforms. One towed body satisfies the requirements of three large platforms through common hardware, software, and interfaces; common integrated logistics support; and modular operational configurations. The AN/AQS-20A has been extensively tested and operated from the RMMV and could be integrated into future unmanned surface vehicles.
The combination of sidescan, forward-looking, and gap-filler sonars enables the AN/AQS-20A to detect and classify mine-like objects from the seafloor to the near surface in a single pass. The system also has an electro-optical identification capability that delivers high-definition images of bottom mines using Streak Tube Imaging Laser (STIL) technology. The STIL technology provides the operator with both range and contrast data that combines to form a 3-D image during post-mission analysis to aid in mine identification. The AN/AQS-20A is the only system with this capability.
In addition, the AN/AQS-20A modes enable the system to give timely and accurate information on the location and position of mines so they can be quickly neutralized by minesweepers, and in the future, by the Airborne Mine Neutralization System (AMNS).
Four modes of operation are provided:
• Single Pass Shallow (SPS) Mode — Bottom and moored mine coverage in a single pass
• Single Pass Deep (SPD) Mode — Moored mine coverage in deep water
• Volume Mine (VOL) Mode — Volume mine coverage at four times the area search rate
• Identification (ID SPS) Mode — Bottom and moored mine coverage in a single pass plus optical imaging of bottom mines.
Options for Environmental Data Collection and Test/Analysis
A high-speed data recording capability is available to support environmental data collection that is used to determine bottom and sediment type to aid in mission planning. Additionally, the recorded data is used in the testing of new system functions and algorithms. The high-capacity recorder retains raw beam data from all sonars, as well as electro-optical data used to identify potential improvements to the system.
Options for Airborne Employment
The AN/AQS-20A towed body, operator display console, winch/tow cable, deployment/recovery equipment, cradle, and post-mission analysis (PMA) are available to allow deployment from medium/heavy-lift helicopters such as the MH-53 and MH-60S. The console consists of two operator stations, two flat panel displays, processor assembly, power distribution assembly, point-and-click operation, and the mission data recorder. The winch dispenses and stores 880 ft. of tow cable with fairing, fiber optic telemetry, and three tow stops. The PMA features a variable speed playback of mission data as well as operator analysis tools. Similar Common Console and Carriage, Stream, Tow, and Recovery System (CSTRS) hardware, with the Airborne Mine Countermeasure (AMCM) Mission Kit, provides deployment, recovery, and an operational environment for MH-60S AN/AQS-20A towed body employment.
| | | Point Of Contact
Office of Corporate Communication (SEA 00D)
Naval Sea Systems Command
Washington, D.C. 20376 | | | General Characteristics, AN/AQS-20A Minehunting Sonar System
| | Contractor: Raytheon – Portsmouth, RI | | Date Deployed: Developmental testing complete. IOT&E coincidental with the LCS Mine Countermeasures Mission Package IOT&E scheduled for October 2013. | | Unit Cost: Approx. $8 million | | Length: 10.5 ft. | | Diameter: 15.5 in. | | Weight: 975 lb. (air), 120 lb. (water) | | | | Last Update: 3 October 2012 | | |
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