Mine Hunt Systems

Abstract

The Mine Hunt Systems project contains resources for systems, subsystems, and sensors integrated for use with the Mine Countermeasures Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MCM USV) for mine detection, classification, localization, identification, neutralization, and influence sweep clearance capabilities. Research, development, test, and evaluation efforts are for increasing capability by decreasing time required to conduct Mine Countermeasures (MCM) operations, ensuring low risk to naval and commercial vessels, and removing the man from the minefield. Increased capability includes conducting minefield reconnaissance (mine density and location) at high area search rates, improving detection capability, decreasing sensor false alarm rates, and reducing post-mission analysis time for detection, classification, and identification. The AN/AQS-20 is a minehunting and identification system with sensors housed in an underwater towed body. The sensors are designed for the detection, classification and localization of bottom, close-tethered, and volume targets, and also for the identification of bottom targets. The system will be deployed from the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) as part of the MCM Mission Package (MP) or can be deployed from other Vessels of Opportunity (VOO). The MCM USV is the tow platform for the AN/AQS-20. The AN/AQS-20 Block 1 (the AQS-20A) underwent a Pre-Planned Product Improvement (P3I) program to upgrade the Forward Looking Sonar (FLS) and Side Looking Sonars (SLS) to improve Probability of Classifying a Mine-like object as a Mine, reduce false classification, and improve depth localization performance to meet Block 2 (the AQS-20C) performance. The FLS is replaced with a new High Frequency Wideband Forward Looking Sonar (HFWBFLS) design. The SLS is replaced with a new multifunction SLS with Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) capability, as well as improved signal processing and signal to noise ratio. The Block 1 P3I program began in FY 2012 and completed in FY 2017. Award and management for Block 2 production units began in FY 2014 (the AQS-20C). Materiel reliability, obsolescence, and performance Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) efforts continue beyond FY 2024. In FY 2022, the AN/AQS-20 Block 2 Program will complete DT/OT with MCM USV, complete MCM USV IOT&E efforts, and help conduct the Mission Package (MP) IOT&E efforts. The program will continue development of ATR efforts and improve cybersecurity efforts.

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Document Details

Document Type
Project
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2022
Source ID
0530_0604127N_4_1319_PB_2022

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.
  • Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.

Technology Areas

  • 5G
  • 5G - DoD 5G Program
  • Autonomy
  • Cyber

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