AQS-24B components being manufactured in Australia
Northrop Grumman has begun manufacture of AQS-24B towed minehunting system components in Australia, the company announced on 6 February.
Manufacture is being carried out with in-country partner, Marand Precision Engineering, at its facility in Moorabbin, Victoria.
Marand is manufacturing the system’s towed vehicle shell assemblies and sonar array housings. Assemblies will be delivered this summer to satisfy existing spares contracts Northrop Grumman has to support fielded and operational AQS-24 systems.
The AQS-24 minehunting system includes an operational High Speed Synthetic Aperture Sonar and an optical laser line scan sensor. The system performs high resolution detection, localisation, classification and identification of mine-like objects from helicopters and USVs at speeds up to 18 knots.
Alan Lytle, vice president, undersea systems, Northrop Grumman, said: ‘Northrop Grumman is committed to providing our customers worldwide with a sustainable and affordable minehunting system.
‘Our partnership with Australian industry enables us to source key components from local manufacturers. This approach provides Australian industry with the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with our customers to transition much of the build and support of the system to them. This is our approach for the AQS-24 in Australia and worldwide.’
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