Northrop Grumman has completed a successful test of its AN/AQS-24 towed anti-mine sonar system aboard an unmanned surface vessel for the US Navy, advancing the service’s push toward autonomous maritime mine warfare. The demonstration reflects ongoing efforts to transition mine countermeasure missions to uncrewed platforms, improving survivability while maintaining operational effectiveness.
The trials took place in Panama City, Florida, following a recent agreement between the company and the US Navy to evaluate the sonar’s performance in real-world maritime conditions. Northrop Grumman reported an accelerated development timeline, moving from contract award to live testing in open waters within 45 days. Navy officials confirmed the system performed as intended when operated from a drone boat, successfully meeting all key mission requirements.
Equipped with synthetic aperture sonar and an optical laser sensor, the AN/AQS-24 is capable of detecting, identifying, and localizing naval mines at high speed. The system can operate at speeds of up to 18 knots and has been proven at depths beyond 400 feet. Already deployed on MH-53E helicopters and Littoral Combat Ships, the sonar’s integration with autonomous surface vessels enables standoff mine detection across diverse maritime environments, supporting the Pentagon’s objective to remove sailors from high-risk mine-hunting operations.
