AQS-24B/C Minehunting System

AQS-24B minehunting system operates underwater, showcasing its design and capabilities amid bubbles and illuminated water.

High Performance Sonar System

Northrop Grumman's AQS-24B/C is a high-performance minehunting system that offers significantly improved image resolution and real-time sonar processing.

We have three decades of in-fleet airborne mine countermeasure experience with 27 systems fielded. Northrop Grumman was the first to field electro-optic mine identification, and developed the first long-range synthetic aperture sonar for mine warfare, the first mine warfare unmanned surface vessel (jointly with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center) and mine warfare unmanned underwater vehicles.

AQS-24B minehunting system launched from an unmanned surface vehicle, operating in open water with crew and equipment visible.

Designed to Meet Current and Future Minehunting Challenges

The only deployed and operationally proven high-speed airborne mine detection system in the world.
High-resolution, side-scan sonar for real-time detection, localization and classification of bottom and moored mines at high area coverage rates.
Laser line scanner provides precision optical identification of underwater mines and other objects of interest.
Simultaneous operation of laser with sonar provides gap-filling capability and tactically advanced Target Detect and Target ID modes.
Thousands of tow hours logged from a variety of platforms.