The
U.S. Navy has awarded Raytheon Company a $33 million contract for the
production, integration, testing and delivery of AN/AQS-22 Airborne
Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) systems. The contract includes an option
for additional systems for U.S. inventory and potential Foreign Military
Sale. The option, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of
this contract to more than $98 million. |
"Access
and safe passage on the world's oceans are critical to our global interests,
economy and security," said Raytheon's Kevin Peppe, vice president
of Integrated Defense Systems' Seapower Capability Systems business
area. "ALFS' proven capabilities make it the U.S. Navy's airborne
anti-submarine warfare sensor of choice, able to effectively sense
and detect the otherwise unseen threat of enemy submarines."
As the primary undersea warfare sensor for the Navy's MH-60R multi-mission
helicopter, ALFS provides significantly improved airborne anti-submarine
warfare capability. ALFS is highly integrated with the helicopter and
with the MK 54 lightweight torpedo, providing the full detect to engage
ASW mission capability from the helicopter.
Raytheon began low-rate initial production in 2002 and has delivered
more than 130 ALFS systems. Eight systems have been delivered to the
Royal Australian Navy under U.S. Navy Foreign Military Sale, with an
additional 17 planned for delivery by 2016. As international interest
continues to grow, ALFS is emerging as the ASW sensor of choice for
allied navies worldwide.
About AN/AQS-22
ALFS is the mission-critical ASW capability for the defense of U.S.
Navy strike groups, providing submarine detection, tracking, localization,
classification, acoustic intercept, underwater communication and environmental
data collection. It is the only in-service dipping sonar with multi-frequency
operation, allowing the system to adapt its performance to varying environmental
conditions. With a rapid search rate and extended range, ALFS identifies
threats sooner, enabling it to cover a larger area. The system's longer
detection range over a wider area also reduces the number of helicopters
required to perform active anti-submarine warfare screening.
End-to-End Anti-Submarine Warfare Capability
Coupling ALFS with the MK 54 lightweight torpedo, Raytheon can deliver
the full anti-submarine warfare engagement capability. The MK 54 is
the U.S. Navy's next-generation ASW weapon deployed from surface ships,
helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to detect and attack underwater
targets. Integrated onboard the MH-60R, MK 54 is the primary weapon
for the helicopter's ASW mission.
The advanced technologies of these systems deliver a comprehensive,
end-to-end solution – detect to engage – enabling the Navy
to safely and effectively execute its mission. |
