Northrop Grumman unveils mine-hunting sensor | C4ISR & Networks | c4isrnet.com: Northrop Grumman has demonstrated its AQS-24A maritime mine detector.
The sensor was used in the Arabian Gulf in conjunction with the Navy’s mine hunting unmanned surface vehicle (MHU), according to a Northrop Grumman announcement.
“The MHU was remotely controlled and executed a preplanned mission by transiting to an operational area, deploying the AQS-24A, executing a search pattern and recovering the sensor,” the company said. “Real-time situational awareness data and sensor sonar data were sent via tactical data link to the command and control station to ensure safe operation while maintaining mission objectives.”
The Navy is eager to showcase the potential of robot mine-hunting for tactical as well as diplomatic reasons. “We are encouraged by the progress made with MHU 1 and 2 in the 5th Fleet,” said Capt. David Honabach, a program manager for the Navy’s Unmanned Maritime Systems Program Office. “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 for future success.”
