AQS-18F Dipping Sonar

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The AQS-18F dipping sonar system marks a significant milestone in the evolution of anti-submarine warfare (ASW). Designed for both helicopters and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), this compact, lightweight, and modern sonar solution delivers unprecedented multi-mission capability. For decades, naval forces have relied on proven sonar systems such as the AN/AQS-13, AN/AQS-18, and HELRAS. The AQS-18F builds upon this legacy, offering a quantum improvement in detection, reliability, and operational efficiency for maritime forces worldwide.

Photo Credit: L3HARRIS

Compact SWaP-C Design for Mid-Sized Helicopters

One of the defining features of the AQS-18F is its minimal size, weight, power, and cooling (SWaP-C) requirements. This makes it particularly suitable for mid-sized helicopters that demand efficient integration without compromising performance. The system incorporates a military off-the-shelf (MOTS) processor and a high-resolution display, ensuring operators have access to clear, actionable data in real time. Combined with an optional electric reeling machine, the sonar dipper is optimized for mid-sized rotary-wing platforms, enabling them to perform advanced ASW missions that were previously limited to larger aircraft.

Ideal Solution for Small Helicopters in ASW Missions

The AQS-18F is not only tailored for mid-sized helicopters but also delivers exceptional performance for smaller platforms. Its Firefly acoustic array employs interleaved transmit and receive elements with no moving parts, ensuring robust geometry and durability. Onboard energy storage minimizes the impact on aircraft systems, allowing detection ranges of up to 40 kiloyards. This capability provides small maritime helicopters with a level of ASW effectiveness that was once unimaginable, extending their operational reach and enhancing their role in fleet defense.

Proven Reliability and Military Qualification

Reliability is a cornerstone of any military system, and the AQS-18F is no exception. The Firefly array is based on more than 50 years of military-qualified dipping sonar systems that have been deployed worldwide. This heritage ensures that the AQS-18F is not only technologically advanced but also thoroughly tested and trusted. Naval operators can depend on its performance in diverse operational environments, from littoral waters to deep-sea patrols, knowing that the system has been proven under real-world conditions.

Advanced Digital Interface for Seamless Integration

Modern warfare demands seamless connectivity, and the AQS-18F delivers with its digital interface. The system employs line-replaceable unit functional combinations and extensive use of Ethernet input/output, making integration easier and reducing overall system weight. This digital architecture enhances reliability, simplifies maintenance, and ensures compatibility with modern mission systems. For operators, this translates into faster deployment, reduced downtime, and improved mission readiness.

Electric Reeling Machine Option for Enhanced Efficiency

Traditional dipping sonar systems often rely on hydraulic supplies from the aircraft, which can add complexity and maintenance challenges. The AQS-18F offers an electric reeling machine option, eliminating dependence on hydraulic systems. This compact, high-efficiency, all-electric motor ensures reliable hoisting operations, reduces maintenance requirements, and improves overall system efficiency. By offering both electric and hydraulic options, the AQS-18F provides flexibility to meet the diverse needs of different aircraft platforms.

Modern Geo-Situational User Interface for Superior Awareness

Situational awareness is critical in ASW operations, and the AQS-18F enhances this through its geo-situational user interface. By centering sonar operations around geospatial data, operators gain improved awareness of the battlespace. This results in superior detection capabilities and a significant reduction in false alarms. The intuitive interface empowers sonar operators to make faster, more accurate decisions, ultimately strengthening the effectiveness of naval missions.

Key Features of the AQS-18F Dipping Sonar

The AQS-18F stands out in the defense market due to its combination of advanced features and proven reliability. Its key attributes include:

  • Minimal size, weight, power, and cooling (SWaP-C)
  • Remote control capability for unmanned surface vehicle operations (USV-OPS)
  • Optimum mid-frequency operation for effective submarine detection
  • Proven, qualified, and reliable performance based on decades of experience
  • Cost-effective design suitable for widespread deployment
  • Options for electric or hydraulic reeling machines
  • Advanced digital interface for seamless integration
  • Geo-situational user interface for enhanced situational awareness

SWAP-C


The emphasis on SWaP-C ensures that every component of the AQS-18F is engineered for efficiency, reliability, and adaptability in demanding operational environments. By reducing size, weight, and power requirements, the system allows small and mid-sized helicopters, as well as unmanned surface vehicles, to carry advanced sonar capability without compromising endurance or mission flexibility. This design philosophy directly enhances the survivability and effectiveness of naval forces in modern anti-submarine warfare.

Firefly represents a significant leap forward compared to its predecessor, the AN/AQS-18A, delivering improved detection ranges and operational stability. Its availability as an upgrade for existing Q-18-equipped aircraft makes it a cost-effective solution for fleets seeking to modernize without extensive platform modifications. This upgrade path ensures that current operators can immediately benefit from next-generation sonar performance.

The transducer assembly retains the ultra-slim, hydrodynamic body that has been proven in decades of operational use. Enhanced stability and optimized dip-cycle time allow for faster deployment and recovery, reducing exposure and increasing mission tempo. These refinements make the system more responsive to the dynamic requirements of maritime patrol and strike operations.

At the core of the system lies a combined MOTS Intel® processor and advanced display, which integrates cutting-edge computing power with operator-friendly visualization. This architecture not only supports current mission demands but also provides a seamless pathway for future technology upgrades. As threats evolve, the system can be adapted quickly, ensuring long-term relevance and operational superiority.

By merging proven design with modern digital innovation, the AQS-18F embodies the next generation of dipping sonar technology. It empowers naval aviation and unmanned platforms with enhanced detection, reduced false alarms, and superior situational awareness. For military operators, this means greater confidence in mission execution and a decisive edge in the underwater battlespace.

Specification


SpecificationDetails
System WeightLess than 485 lb
Max Operating Depth500 m
DeploymentManual and automatic
Active TransmissionCW, FM and Combo Pulses
Active Operating Frequency9.2, 10.0 and 10.7 kHz (mutually exclusive)
Active ProcessingMonostatic and multistatic
Source LevelUp to 216 dB, re 1 μPa, re 1 yd
Passive ProcessingBroadband detection
Underwater TelephoneSTANAG 1074
Built-In TestPower up, continuous and initiated
Record/PlaybackFor post-mission analysis
DisplayTouchscreen intuitive, geo-situational based display
Performance PredictionRange-of-the-day and raytrace using measured and database Sound Velocity Profiles (SVPs)
Classification AidsDoppler zoom, FM Amplitude scan and user-defined signature database

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