Northrop To Supply Additional Airborne Mine Hunting Systems To Japan

Japan has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation a series of follow-on contracts for the supply three additional AQS-24A airborne mine hunting systems for the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The initial contract was awarded in 2011 for the delivery of Japan’s first ASS-24A; the follow-on contract will include airborne electronics and ground-based support equipment. The JMSDF will use all four complete AQS-24A airborne mine hunting sonar systems on its new MCH-101 helicopters. "These additional contracts further strengthen our relationship with the JMSDF," said Tom Jones, vice president of Northrop Grumman's Undersea Systems business unit. The AQS-24A is a high speed mine-hunting system that is primarily towed from the MH-53E helicopter, but has been easily adapted to the JMSDF version of the EH-101 aircraft. With a track record of proven reliability and performance across the globe, the system's high-resolution side-scan sonar detects, localizes and classifies both bottom and moored mines in real-time at high area coverage rates. The AQS-24A contains a laser line scanner that provides precision optical identification of underwater mines and other objects of interest. The AQS-24A allows for simultaneous operation of the sonar and laser, which significantly improves area coverage rate, shortens the mine clearance timeline and alleviates unnecessary maintenance cycles. Advanced navigation controls and processing provide highly accurate target positioning.