OVERVIEW: The AN/AQS-24A is a high resolution, side-looking, helicopter or surface towed mine hunting system used to detect, localize, classify, mark, and permanently record locations of unburied bottom and moored sea mines and other objects of interest.   

DETAILS: The AN/AQS-24A uses a multibeam side-scan sonar with electronic beamforming and all-range focusing to provide real time detect, localize and classification of bottom and moored mines. It also incorporates a laser line scanner to give precision optical identification of underwater contacts of interest.   The sonar can scan up and down to detect moored objects or object on the seabed, providing real-time 'detect, classify, and localize (DCL) functionality of minehunting operations. It is effective against ground, close-moored, and in-volume mines and provide improved sonar resolution and options for positive visual identification of detected mine-like objects.   


Specifications:

Max Operating Depth:	?? feet
Max operating Speed	18 knots    

NOTES: IOC: 2005.  The AN/AQS-24A is an upgrade to the AN/AQS-14A. It has twice the sonar resolution at long range, four times the target resolution at short range, and twice the depth capability of the AN/AQS-14A. The sonar has a resolution of 3 X 3 inches, and the laser sensor provides a resolution of <1 inch and can operate simultaneously with the side-scan sonar. 
 
SOURCES: AN/AQS-24, AN/AQS-24A towed minehunting system. (2015, October 15). Jane's C4ISR & Mission Systems: Maritime ; AQS-24B Minehunting System. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/ANAQS24/Pages/default.aspx ; 
Yumpu.com. (n.d.). AN/AQS-24A Airborne Minehunting System - Northrop Grumman ... Retrieved from https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/24680446/an-aqs-24a-airborne-minehunting-system-northrop-grumman-

