Fly and Listen: The AN/AQS-22 ALFS Sonar System
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Contracts - Modifications, Helicopters & Rotary, Raytheon, Sensors - Aquatic, Spotlight articles
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The AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low-Frequency Sonar (ALFS) will equip the US Nay’s new MH-60R multi-mission helicopters, and will serve as their primary anti-submarine sensor system. The new FLASH sonar operates at lower frequency and higher power waveforms than existing dipping sonars, which will increase the opportunities for long-range detections; indeed, the AQS-22 dipping sonar claims 4x area coverage compared to current systems and includes both active or passive sonar modes. Submarine tracking, localization, classification are all covered. A winching system with up to 2,500 feet of cable raises and lowers the sonar.
The complete system also includes active or passive sonobuoys, enhanced shallow water capability via processing improvements, and even underwater communication and environmental data collection capabilities.
This Spotlight article highlights ALFS-related contracts since 2002. The latest addition involves a contract to increase the USA’s stock of ALFS systems by 40%...
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- Tracking of multimillion-dollar contracts held by Raytheon, and other awards to Digital System Resources, Thales Underwater Systems
- Introduction to the AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low-Frequency Sonar (ALFS)
- Links to corporate source materials, ALFS fact sheets
- 4 photos
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