PORTSMOUTH, R.I., Aug. 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company
(NYSE: RTN) and the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) – Division
Newport have enhanced Raytheon's AN/AQS-20A mine-hunting sonar for
better performance and reliability, including higher-quality
imaging of objects deep under the sea, improving the system's
ability to identify and classify mines.
Raytheon and NUWC formally launched the AN/AQS-20A collaboration
last year, under a 'work for private party' contract funded by
Raytheon. Improvements in both system performance and image quality
resulted from the strong working partnership of this Rhode Island-based, government-industry team
of experts. Tested at sea, the system's optimized sonars captured
images of the ocean floor with enough clarity to see the contents
of lobster pots.
"Together with NUWC, we've applied our collective expertise to
enhance this critical undersea warfare technology – and we've
achieved outstanding results," said Paul
Ferraro, vice president of Raytheon Integrated Defense
Systems' Seapower Capability Systems. "Building on the system's
proven performance, we've increased its ability to go further and
see objects more clearly – critical abilities for the Navy's mine
warfare mission."
AN/AQS-20A is the only mine-hunting sonar currently in
production for the U.S. Navy and the only system certified for
deployment from the Navy's Littoral Combat Ships, as the primary
sensor for mine countermeasure missions. The system demonstrated
solid performance throughout a recent Technical Evaluation,
conducted by the Navy, where AN/AQS-20A performed as designed and
exceeded reliability and operational availability requirements.
About AN/AQS-20A
AN/AQS-20A is the most advanced and
capable mine warfare sensor system, uniquely providing detection
and classification through the integration of multiple sensors. The
system is towed undersea to simultaneously scan the water column
for anti-shipping mines forward of, to the sides and beneath the
vehicle. Sophisticated sonar, electro-optical sensors and
high-precision location information are used to provide
high-resolution images of mines and mine-like objects.
End-to-End Mine Countermeasure Capability
Raytheon
provides both a modern mine-hunting and mine-neutralization
capability to the U.S. Navy. Supporting mine-clearing operations in
both deep-ocean and littoral waters, AN/AQS-20A detects, localizes
bottom, close-tethered and volume mines, and identifies bottom
mines. The AN/ASQ-235 Airborne Mine Neutralization System
reacquires and neutralizes mines found by the AN/AQS-20A. AMNS
consists of a helicopter-deployed launch and handling system
equipped with four unmanned Archerfish™ neutralizer vehicles, which
destroy mines via remote control from the operator in the MH-60S
helicopter.
The advanced technologies of these systems deliver a
comprehensive, end-to-end solution – detection to neutralization –
enabling the Navy to safely and effectively execute its mission,
with reduced risk to its ships and crews, ensuring safe access and
passage for military and civilian vessels on the world's oceans and
waterways.
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2015 sales of
$23 billion and 61,000 employees, is
a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil
government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of
innovation spanning 94 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art
electronics, mission systems integration,
C5I™ products and services, sensing, effects, and
mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon
is headquartered in Waltham,
Massachusetts. Follow us on Twitter @Raytheon.
www.raytheon.com
Media Contact
Carolyn
Beaudry
+1.401.842.3550
idspr@raytheon.com
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SOURCE Raytheon Company