Northrop Grumman has successfully demonstrated the integration of its AN/AQS-24 anti-mine sonar system with an unmanned surface vessel (USV) for the US Navy, marking a key milestone in uncrewed maritime mine countermeasures. The trial supports the Navy’s broader initiative to deploy autonomous platforms equipped with towed sonar systems to detect and neutralize naval mines while minimizing risk to personnel.
The demonstration was conducted in Panama City, Florida, shortly after Northrop Grumman secured a contract to assess the system’s operational compatibility with a drone boat. According to the company, the program advanced rapidly from contract award to open-water testing in just 45 days. During the trials, the Navy confirmed that the AN/AQS-24 met all primary performance objectives, highlighting enhanced safety and operational efficiency for mine-hunting missions.
The AN/AQS-24 combines a high-speed synthetic aperture sonar with an optical laser sensor capable of detecting, classifying, and pinpointing surface and subsurface explosives. Designed to operate at speeds of up to 18 knots and depths exceeding 400 feet, the system is already fielded on MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopters and Littoral Combat Ships. When deployed from an autonomous vessel, the sonar enables effective standoff mine detection in both shallow and deep waters, aligning with the Pentagon’s goal of reducing direct sailor involvement in hazardous mine countermeasure operations.
