The US Navy has awarded Raytheon a contract modification worth $80.8 million in support of the AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar acquired by the Royal Australian Navy.
The ALFS (Airborne Low Frequency Sonar) is an advanced integrated sonobuoy processing and dipping system that will be incorporated in the MH-60R multimission helicopter used by the US Navy.The ALFS, contract symbolizes Raytheon’s first international sale of the airborne anti-submarine warfare sensor.
The ALFS will provide submarine detection, localization, tracking, classification, underwater communication, acoustic intercept and environmental data collection capabilities. The previously awarded contracts worth $141.5 million for ALFS system included a $81.7 million contract awarded by Naval Air Systems Command for the integration, testing, manufacture and delivery of the ALFS systems; and the second contract was valued at $59.8 million awarded by the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation Strategic Acquisition for weapons replaceable assemblies and spares.
The program manager for MH-60 helicopter, US Navy Captain Jim Glass stated that the ALFS provides the US Navy with a far-reaching and rapid airborne anti-submarine warfare capability. The Royal Australian Navy is an allied fleet of the US Navy and the airborne ALFS sensor is meant to advance the capabilities. The ALFS is deployed onboard the MH-60R helicopter as the anti-submarine warfare sensor and is charged to defends surface ships before an enemy submarine can launch its attack.
Raytheon, headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, is a technology innovator and they manufacture air-to-air, surface Navy air defense, strike, land combat missiles, exo-atmospheric kill vehicles, guided projectiles and directed energy weapons. Raytheon provides mission systems and support services to defense and government markets worldwide and to the US homeland security.
Source: http://www.raytheon.com