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US Navy Mine Hunting System
Keeping US warfighters and vessels safeFor many years the United States Navy has operated various seabed and open ocean mine hunting systems as part of its national security mission. Through the years these systems have increased in sophistication, complexity and effectiveness. Coda Octopus Colmek is proud of its contributions to these important defensive systems.
AN/AQS-24 Mine Hunting System
The AN/AQS-14 Mine hunting system is a helicopter towed SONAR array incorporating SONAR, laser and acoustic payload configurations used in the detection and classification of oceanic mine threats. The system consists of the tow-fish, tow cable/umbilical and tow vehicle, most commonly the MH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter.
Difficulties Encountered
This mine-hunting system has suffered from data recording challenges since the programs inception. By 1995, all AN/AQS-24A airborne and analysis systems had been deployed using a GFE recording system based on a SVHS tape transport converted for use as a digital recorder. The recorder was extremely expensive and suffered from incompatibility problems when spare parts were used to repair the systems. A more challenging problem was that if a tape transport needed to be changed the system had to be brought to dock. Changes could not be performed in the field, due to precise alignment procedures and special test equipment only available at the factory. This recorder was also limited in its data capacity and would not allow for the extensive upgrades which were being considered for the system.
Corrective Actions
Coda Octopus Colmek designed a replacement recorder which conformed to the same envelope and connector pin-out as the original unit and arranged for a performance fly-off between the two systems. The recorder produced by Coda Octopus Colmek proved to be faster, more reliable and more cost efficient (savings of 50%) over the original equipment. In addition, the transports could be interchanged in the field without recalibration. Coda Octopus Colmek provided all required non-recurring engineering, the new recorders for Version 1 and replacement recorder units for all fielded systems at a lower price than the original manufacturers were quoting for the recorders alone.
Upon completion of the design and fabrication of the first production unit, and required qualification testing of each of the items, the AN/AQS14A program became a "build-to-print" production job for Coda Octopus Colmek. Initial production units were delivered in 1995 and are still in service today. The AN/AQS-24 system has several Coda Octopus Colmek components in service. These components are designed, manufactured and tested at Coda Octopus Colmek.
Airborne Control-Processors
The Airborne Control-Processor (ACP) generates and supplies commands and then processes the raw sonar image returns from the towed SONAR fish. Processed sonar imagery is then sent to a Recorder-Reproducer for archival and to a video monitor for real-time display.
Airborne Digital Recorder-Reproducer
The Airborne Digital Recorder-Reproducer (ADRR) is a single, self-contained unit which reads and reproduces digital sonar and textual data on magnetic media. New versions feature IBM hard drives and solid-state electronics.
Post Mission Analysis Control-Processor
The Post Mission Analysis Control-Processor (PMA/CP) provides all man-machine interface functions necessary to allow a Data Analysis Operator to perform detection and classification functions while monitoring system status and towed vehicle performance.
Ground Based Digital Recorder-Reproducer
The Ground Based Digital Recorder-Reproducer (GBDRR) is a single, self-contained unit that reads and writes the data to and from the magnetic media
Intermediate Logistic Test Equipment Control-Processor
The Intermediate Logistic Test Equipment (ILTE) Control-Processor is a ground-base version of the Airborne Control Processor used to debug and test system-level and board-level replaceable items at the intermediate logistic level.
Trainer Control Processor
The Trainer Control Processor contains similar COTS hardware to that used in the Airborne Control-Processor and PMA Control-Processor. This allows Coda Octopus Colmek to rapidly supply the system with minimal additional design cost.
Simulators
The simulator is installed inside a personal computer in the Intermediate Logistic Test Equipment (ILTE) system to simulate the towed sonar body. The simulator is used to debug and test system-level and board-level replaceable items at the intermediate logistic level.
The Airborne Control-Processor (ACP) generates and supplies commands and then processes the raw sonar image returns from the towed SONAR fish. Processed sonar imagery is then sent to a Recorder-Reproducer for archival and to a video monitor for real-time display.
Airborne Digital Recorder-Reproducer
The Airborne Digital Recorder-Reproducer (ADRR) is a single, self-contained unit which reads and reproduces digital sonar and textual data on magnetic media. New versions feature IBM hard drives and solid-state electronics.
Post Mission Analysis Control-Processor
The Post Mission Analysis Control-Processor (PMA/CP) provides all man-machine interface functions necessary to allow a Data Analysis Operator to perform detection and classification functions while monitoring system status and towed vehicle performance.
Ground Based Digital Recorder-Reproducer
The Ground Based Digital Recorder-Reproducer (GBDRR) is a single, self-contained unit that reads and writes the data to and from the magnetic media
Intermediate Logistic Test Equipment Control-Processor
The Intermediate Logistic Test Equipment (ILTE) Control-Processor is a ground-base version of the Airborne Control Processor used to debug and test system-level and board-level replaceable items at the intermediate logistic level.
Trainer Control Processor
The Trainer Control Processor contains similar COTS hardware to that used in the Airborne Control-Processor and PMA Control-Processor. This allows Coda Octopus Colmek to rapidly supply the system with minimal additional design cost.
Simulators
The simulator is installed inside a personal computer in the Intermediate Logistic Test Equipment (ILTE) system to simulate the towed sonar body. The simulator is used to debug and test system-level and board-level replaceable items at the intermediate logistic level.
Current Status
The AN/AQS-24A Mine Hunting System was used successfully in the Gulf War to safely guide aid carrying ships and support military vessels into Iraqi harbors. These ships were then able to provide life saving supplies to both military and civilian populations. Coda Octopus Colmek continues to service and provide upgrades to the AN/AQS-24A Mine Hunting System. Most recently, major improvements have come through the reduction in size and weight of various system components for use on the tow helicopter and multiple technology upgrades in terms of system hardware, recording functionality, software features and reduced component costs.
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