Northrop Grumman Tests Minehunting System on Uncrewed Vessel

Northrop Grumman has completed a new demonstration of its mine countermeasures technology, showing that its AN/AQS-24 minehunting system can be integrated with an uncrewed surface platform to meet emerging U.S. Navy operational requirements.

According to a company statement, Northrop Grumman Corporation successfully demonstrated the integration of its AN/AQS-24 minehunting system with a Mine Countermeasures Unmanned Surface Vehicle, or MCM USV. The effort is aimed at addressing the Navy’s requirement for an uncrewed, towed mine countermeasures capability that can reduce risk to sailors while maintaining operational effectiveness.

Company says the demonstration moved from contract award to open-water testing in just 45 days. Following the signing of a contract with the U.S. Navy, Northrop Grumman began trials in Panama City, Florida, where the system was tested in an operational maritime environment. The goal was to show that the helicopter-towed AN/AQS-24, which is already in service, could be adapted to operate effectively when deployed from an unmanned surface vessel.

The AN/AQS-24 is a towed minehunting sonar designed to detect, classify, and localize sea mines in deep and shallow water. It has been used for years by U.S. Navy helicopters to support mine countermeasures operations. By pairing the system with an uncrewed surface vessel, the Navy aims to extend its use without placing aircrews or ship crews in proximity to explosive hazards.

As noted by the company, the integration with an MCM USV demonstrates the flexibility of the AN/AQS-24 architecture and its ability to support evolving concepts of operation. The uncrewed surface vehicle tows the sonar while operating at standoff distances, allowing mine detection missions to be conducted without exposing sailors to direct risk.

Mine warfare remains a persistent challenge for naval forces, particularly in chokepoints and contested coastal regions. Naval mines are relatively inexpensive to deploy but can disrupt commercial shipping and military operations, making effective mine countermeasures a priority for the U.S. Navy.

The Navy has been pursuing a broader shift toward uncrewed systems as part of its mine countermeasures strategy, replacing legacy platforms with modular, unmanned solutions that can be deployed more rapidly and sustained for longer periods. The successful demonstration suggests that existing, fielded sensors like the AN/AQS-24 can be adapted to support that transition without waiting for entirely new systems to be developed.

Northrop Grumman said the test also showed the speed at which proven technologies can be repurposed to meet urgent operational needs. By leveraging an already-deployed minehunting system and integrating it with an unmanned surface vessel, the company and the Navy were able to validate a new capability on a compressed timeline.