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NAVSEA Introduces New Minehunting Sonar to Fleet

NAVSEA News Wires October 4, 2002

By JOC David Nagle, Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs

WASHINGTON -- Naval Sea Systems Command introduced to the Fleet last week a new minehunting sonar system that will enhance mine clearance operations.

NAVSEA's Program Executive Office for Mine and Undersea Warfare introduced the AN/AQS-14A (V1) helicopter towed minehunting sonar system to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron Fourteen (HM-14) at Naval Air Station Norfolk.

The AN/AQS-14A (V1), developed by Northrop Grumman Corp., is a side-looking sonar system towed by an electromechanical cable. The AN/AQS-14A and the AN/AQS-14A (V1) are the only airborne high-speed minehunting sonar systems currently deployed in the Navy. The system uses high-power, solid state technology to provide high-resolution imagery to locate mine-like objects. Operators view the underwater sonar imagery on a video monitor to detect and classify objects on a real-time basis.

The AN/AQS-14A (V1) also has a laser electro-optical mine identification upgrade, giving operators the capability to identify mines. The upgrade provides increased side scan sonar resolution by four times the current resolution at close range and two times at long range.

The features and enhancements of the AN/AQS-14A (V1) will significantly reduce time needed to identify and clear minefields and increase the speed and safety of mine clearance operations. The ability to positively identify mines will reduce the number and length of dives by Explosive Ordnance Disposal divers.

HM-14 crews received training from NAVSEA and Northrop Grumman personnel on the new system. Final in-flight training was conducted this week.