US Navy Advances Uncrewed Minehunting With AN/AQS-24 Integration
The AN/AQS-24 minehunting system has been successfully integrated with a US Navy unmanned surface vessel, marking a step forward in uncrewed mine countermeasures operations. Northrop Grumman said the demonstration completed initial open water testing within 45 days of contract award.
The testing took place in Panama City, Florida, using a Mine Countermeasures Unmanned Surface Vehicle, or MCM USV. The effort adapted the helicopter-towed AN/AQS-24 system for deployment from an uncrewed surface platform.
According to Northrop Grumman, the US Navy confirmed that the AN/AQS-24 minehunting system and MCM USV combination met all primary government objectives set for the demonstration.
Focus on Risk Reduction and Operational Efficiency
Company officials said the demonstration was driven by a Navy requirement for a towed, uncrewed mine countermeasures capability. The goal is to reduce risk to sailors while maintaining proven minehunting performance.
The objectives centered on validating the system’s suitability as a safer and more efficient approach to minehunting. The activity did not aim to introduce a new sensor, but rather to show that an existing, mature system could operate effectively from an unmanned vessel.
The AN/AQS-24 minehunting system has long been used in helicopter-towed roles to detect and classify naval mines. Pairing it with an unmanned surface vessel is intended to extend its operational flexibility in contested or high risk environments.
Supporting the Navy’s Shift to Uncrewed Mine Warfare
The US Navy has been moving away from legacy, crewed mine countermeasures platforms toward distributed uncrewed systems. The integration of the AN/AQS-24 minehunting system with an MCM USV aligns with that broader transition.
Northrop Grumman said the demonstration supports the Navy’s push to field scalable, uncrewed minehunting solutions that can be deployed forward without placing personnel in harm’s way.
Mine warfare remains a critical challenge for naval forces, particularly in chokepoints and near shore waters. Uncrewed surface vessels equipped with proven systems like the AN/AQS-24 minehunting system are seen as a way to sustain capability while improving survivability.
