AN/BQR-20 Series

The AN/BQR-20 series spectrum analyzer sonars were developed by Spectral Dynamics [now known as SPS] for the US Navy in the 1970s. These sonar's were eventually put on every submarine in the US Navy. The current version, the AN/BQR-22 represents the standard of performance by which others are judged.

The AN/BQR-22A EC-17 submarine passive sonar signal detection and analysis system processes and displays MultiBeam acoustic data from all hull and towed array sonars and acoustic intercept and noise monitoring hydrophones. It supports detection and analysis of narrowband and broadband acoustic target signatures. Acoustic data is presented to the operator in color waterfall (LOFARgram), single spectrum (A-Scan) and broadband (DIMUS) display formats. The AN/BQR-22A is in operation all SSN-688 Los Angeles Class and newer US Navy submarines.

The AN/BQR-22A EC-17 is a Full Spectrum submarine passive sonar signal detection and analysis system. The system processes and displays MultiBeam acoustic data from all hull and towed array sonars and acoustic intercept and noise monitoring hydrophones. The EC-17 supports detection and analysis of narrowband and broadband acoustic target signatures. The system presents acoustic data to the operator in color waterfall (LOFARgram), single spectrum (A-Scan), and broadband (DIMUS) display formats. The AN/BQR-22A is in operation on all SSN688 Class and newer U. S. Navy submarines.

The AN/BQR-22A is currently undergoing a COTS Insertion Program (CIP) upgrade. The contractor [Signal Processing Systems Inc. - SPS], with support from DARPA and with NAVSEA oversight, is replacing most of the legacy hardware and software with A-RCI compatible COTS components. The upgraded system retains only the hardware interfaces to existing ships systems and sensors. The new AN/BQR-22A CIP system, to undergo at-sea demonstration in the early spring of 2000, sports windows based point-and-click display and control. The AN/BQR-22A CIP retains the existing ships cabling and EC-17 cabinets. Installation can be performed dockside with minimal disruption of ships operations.

The AN/BQR-23A Sonar Receiving Set is a Towed Array sonar narrowband detection and tracking system. The AN/BQR-23A Sonar Receiving Set processes Towed Array data for detection and display of narrowband signatures. Inputs to the AN/BQR-23A include a range of submarine Towed Arrays. The system features both time domain and frequency domain DSP algorithms including median filter spectral equalization. Color displays present data to the operator in waterfall (LOFARgram) and frequency azimuth (FRAZ) display formats with target tracking capability. Multiple Bearing Interpolation Trackers (BIT) are available. The AN/BQR-23A processes data from single and multiple aperture submarine Towed Arrays. The AN/BQR-23A, while installed on some US Navy submarines, is no longer in production.