U.S. Navy tests variable depth sonar for Littoral Combat Ship

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- The Navy recently conducted a series of tests to improve the mine-hunting ability of the AN/AQS-20A Variable Depth Sonar system used on littoral combat ships, the sea service announced Thursday.

The tests took place at Carderock's David Taylor Model Basin in Bethesda, Md., and sought to improve the capability of the system that provides detection and classification of mines via imaging sonar, signal processing and computer algorithms, the Navy said in a statement.

Data previously collected had indicated that, when towed, the system showed an off-center bias, known as a "sway," which impacts the sonar's target localization capability to determine the position of mine-life objects detected in the water column or on the sea floor.

The testing looked at the behavior of the system when towed by surface and semi-submersible vehicles.

Test data seeks to determine the main cause of the sway and improve detection systems.

Findings will lead to corrective action or further testing.

Raytheon reported in 2014 that it had received a $35 million contract for development of the system.