The US Navy’s Naval Sea Systems Command has exercised a $38.6 million contract option for Raytheon Company's AN/AQS-20A mine hunting sonar systems.
Under the option, Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) will manufacture, test and deliver five AN/AQS-20A sets and associated support equipment to the US Navy to provide critical capabilities in support of mine-clearing operations in both deep-ocean and littoral waters.
As a component of the organic mine countermeasures family of systems and the primary mine hunting system to be integrated into the US Navy's MH-60S airborne mine countermeasures helicopters, AN/AQS-20A enables the detection, classification and localization of bottom, close-tethered and volume mines.
AN/AQS-20A is also the primary mine hunting mission system for the Littoral Combat Ship Flight 0, where it will be towed by the AN/WLD-1 semi- submersible autonomous vehicle. This system is towed undersea to scan the water in front and to the sides of the vehicle as well as the sea bottom for anti-shipping mines. The system uses sonar and electro- optical sensors to provide high-resolution images of mines and mine-like objects and high-precision location information.
Babcock marks next stage in submarine dismantling project
Surely on a national security project all contractors ought to be UK owned? This is similar to the life enhancement of our nuclear stations which has...