AN/SQS-26

AN/SQS-26 was a United States Navy surface ship, bow mounted, low frequency, active/passive sonar developed by the Naval Underwater Sound Laboratory[1] and built by General Electric and the EDO Corporation. At one point, it was installed on 87[2] US Navy warships from the 1960s to the 1990s and may still be in use on ships transferred to other navies.

USS Willis A. Lee receives the first SQS-26-sonar in 1961.

Capabilities

The AN/SQS-26 weighed 27,215 kg (59,999 lb). It could be operated as a passive sonar on the 1.5 kHz frequency or as an active sonar at 3–4 kHz. Its maximum output was 240 kW and it had a range from 18 to 64 km (11 to 40 mi). It had direct path, bottom reflected, passive and convergence zone (CZ) capabilities.[3]

Variants

The original AX sonars were manufactured by General Electric Heavy Military Electronics. The "R" suffix was the result of a "Retrofit" by GE that incorporated improved designs derived from the AN/SQS-26CX sonar, also manufactured by GE.

  • AN/SQS-26 BX - Garcia-class frigates, FF-1047, 1048, 1049, 1050, 1051
  • AN/SQS-26 BX - Brooke-class frigates, FFG-4, 5, 6
  • AN/SQS-26 BX - Belknap-class cruisers, CG-28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34
  • AN/SQS-26 BX - Truxtun-class cruiser, CGN-35

BX sonars were manufactured by EDO Corporation.

CX sonars were manufactured by General Electric Heavy Military Electronics. AN/SQS-26CX sonar performs a 360-deg, long-range sector search at low frequency.[4]

AN/SQS-53

AN/SQS-53 is an improved version of AN/SQS-26CX. The main difference between the SQS-26CX and SQS-53 sonars is the digital computer interface with the Mk 116 anti-submarine warfare (ASW) weapon control system in the latter.[4] In addition, AN/SQS-53 sonar can be fitted with the Kingfisher small obstacle (mines) avoidance sonar.[4]

Specifications:[4]

  • Operating frequency: 3 kHz
  • Peak frequency: 192 kHz
  • Array height: 1.6 m (5'2")
  • Array diameter: 4.8 m (15'7")

Versions:

  • AN/SQS-53A: Original version with analog control and display, used on various destroyers and cruisers.[4] Installed on early Ticonderoga-class cruisers (CG-47 to 55).
  • AN/SQS-53B: Original analog control and display in AN-SQS-53A replaced by digital, solid-state controls and displays incorporating built-in test system and AN/UYS-1 acoustic signal processor for integration with the digital AN/SQQ-89 system.[4] Installed on later Ticonderoga-class cruisers (CG-56 onward) as part of AN/SQQ-89.
  • AN/SQS-53C: Improvement of AN/SQS-53B that is 50% smaller in volume and weight with improved reliability: mean time between failure is 2000 hours.[4] New transducers with higher power and wider bandwidth and incorporating AN/UYK-44(V) digital computers in addition to UYK-1.[4] Installed on Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.

References
  1. Thaddeus G. Bell: Probing The Oceans For Submarines -- A History of the AN/SQS-26 Long-Range, Echo-Ranging Sonar. Peninsula, Los Altos Hills, CA (U.S), 2010, p. 3. ISBN 978-0932146267
  2. Thaddeus G. Bell: Probing The Oceans For Submarines -- A History of the AN/SQS-26 Long-Range, Echo-Ranging Sonar. Peninsula, Los Altos Hills, CA (U.S), 2010, p. 180. ISBN 978-0932146267
  3. Stefan Terzibaschitsch: Kampfsysteme der U.S. Navy. Koehler, Hamburg (Germany), 2001, p. 212. ISBN 3-7822-0806-4
  4. "AN/SQS-53". Archived from the original on November 5, 2004. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
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