Joanna Crews
The U.S. Navy has tested an underwater acoustic technology Northrop Grumman designed to help address the service branch’s flank array requirements for submarines as part of a Work for Private Parties agreement.
Northrop said Nov. 14 the Advanced Flank Array sonar works to integrate with the service branch’s Virginia-class fast attack and Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines.
The company invested more than $3 million to develop its AFA product line that incorporates the “Life of Ship” design.
Alan Lytle, vice president of Northrop’s undersea systems business, said the company develops systems that will work to help address mission, requirements and applications the Navy will face over the submarine’s lifetime.
The company uses an open business model approach for multiple vendors and manufacturers that aim to supply components and subsystems for outboard flank array hardware produced by Northrop.
Northrop said it has designed and manufactured underwater acoustic systems over the past 50 years.
