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ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND (BNS): Northrop Grumman Corporation has been awarded a series of follow-on contracts by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) to supply three additional AQS-24A airborne mine hunting systems.

The contracts, which also include airborne electronics and ground-based support equipment, follow an initial contract awarded in October 2011 for Northrop Grumman to deliver Japan's first AQS-24A.

The JMSDF will use all four complete AQS-24A airborne mine hunting sonar systems on its new MCH-101 helicopters, according to the company statement.

The AQS-24A is a high speed mine-hunting system that is primarily towed from the MH-53E helicopter, but has been easily adapted to the JMSDF version of the EH-101 aircraft.

The AQS-24A contains a laser line scanner that provides precision optical identification of underwater mines and other objects of interest.

The AQS-24A allows for simultaneous operation of the sonar and laser, which significantly improves area coverage rate, shortens the mine clearance timeline and alleviates unnecessary maintenance cycles. Advanced navigation controls and processing provide highly accurate target positioning.

Northrop Grumman earlier this year contracted with the JMSDF to provide helicopter-mountable, laser mine detection systems. This was the first direct commercial sale of Northrop Grumman's Airborne Laser Mine Detection System to an international navy.