The U.S. Navy concluded the developmental testing phase for a Raytheon-built sonar tool designed for mine-hunting missions. The AN/AQS-20C sonar platform is an updated variant of the AN/AQS-20 and is slated for deployment from the Mine Countermeasures Unmanned Surface Vehicle system, Naval Sea Systems Command said Tuesday.
The AN/AQS-20C performed 12 underway missions aboard the M/V Patriot carrier in varying depths and different operational modes at four Naval Surface Warfare Center test facilities. The Navy will use the findings to conduct performance assessment prior to a final development testing report in the spring.
The sonar leverages sonar arrays to track, analyze and categorize mines and create 3D models of bottom explosives via high-definition imagery for post-mission evaluation. The MCM USV is a semi-automated, diesel-powered watercraft that accommodates mine countermeasure payloads and deploy from littoral combat ships.