Article Posted on : - Apr 17, 2012

NATIONAL HARBOR, MARYLAND (BNS): Raytheon Company completed delivery of the electronics for the AN/SQQ-90 tactical sonar suite, the complex sonar for the first ship of the US Navy's DDG 1000-class multimission destroyer.

The AN/SQQ-90 tactical sonar suite, the first dual-frequency hull-mounted sonar of the Navy's surface fleet, is a major advancement in undersea warfare capability and will provide broad warfighting coverage to DDG 1000, according to a company statement.

"Integrated with DDG 1000's open architecture combat system and multi-sensor capabilities, AN/SQQ-90 will provide superior operational performance in both the littorals and deep waters against a multitude of targets, including mines and quiet diesel submarines," Kevin Peppe, vice president of Seapower Capability Systems for Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems business, was quoted as saying in the statement.

Raytheon delivered the sonar electronics completely assembled and integrated into an Electronic Modular Enclosure (EME), an innovation to 21st century shipbuilding designed into the Zumwalt-class destroyer programme for affordability.

The EME delivers benefits not only in upfront integration and testing before delivery to the shipyard for ship installation, but also minimises the footprint occupied onboard the ship (size and weight) and maximises efficiencies in both power and cooling.

The AN/SQQ-90 comprises the AN/SQS-60 hull-mounted mid-frequency sonar; the AN/SQS-61 hull-mounted high-frequency sonar; and the AN/SQR-20 multi-function towed array sonar and handling system.

Raytheon is the AN/SQQ-90 systems integrator, bringing together the full functionality of the suite's sonar system elements.

Through automation and unique information management, DDG 1000's AN/SQQ-90 can be operated by one-third the crew of current Aegis platforms.