Advanced Surface Self-Defense System (ASURSDS)

The AN/SLY-3 Advanced Surface Self-Defense System (ASURSDS) is a combination system for use on all surface vessels, regardless of their size. It is specially tailored for individual ships but maintains commonality throughout all of its variants and versions. It features the AN/SLQ-51 Advanced Electronic Warfare System, the Mark 36 Super Rapid Booming Offboard Chaff Dispenser, the Mark 53 Nulka Decoy Dispenser, the AN/SSQ-95 Active Electronic Buoy, and the AN/SLQ-52 Future Acoustic Decoy System.

The AN/SLQ-51 Advanced Electronic Warfare Suite (AEWS) is an improvement over the AN/SLQ-32 Electronic Warfare Suite. It uses, at its most basic level, a threat receiver that is designed to detect radar and laser signals targeted at or in the proximity of the ship. This is sometimes the earliest warning possible. It features a passive targeting system that links to the AACS and allows for passive targeting of surface-to-surface and surface-to-air weaponry. It features active radar jamming and infrared jamming as well. It is more sensitive than the AN/SLQ-32 and gives longer range.

The Mark 36 Super Rapid Booming Offboard Chaff (SRBOC) is an old but highly effective and basic system. The original versions feature six tubes, four angled at 45° and two at 60°, which can be filled in chaff or infrared decoys. The system in use with the AN/SLY-3 allows variable angling of all six tubes. This is the Mark 36 Mod 15 variant. Additionally, whereas the original tubes were only 130 millimeters in diameter, those in use here at 155 millimeters in diameter. This allows for larger decoy cartridges offering more protection. A normal setup contains 6 launchers with 36 decoys ready and 210 decoys stowd for reloading. Smaller versions of the system will carry fewer decoy launchers. They can also support the Mark 53 Nulka decoy system, which is used for active-radar homing missiles.

The AN/SSQ-95 Active Electronic Buoy (AEB) is a self-contained, acoustical countermeasure that is deployed away from a surface ship and used to lure torpedoes away from the ship. It can produce an acoustic signature significantly larger than any ship making a destroyer sound as loud as an aircraft carrier or even an aircraft carrier sound louder than a supertanker at flank speed.

The AN/SLQ-52 Future Acoustic Decoy System (FADS) is a replacement for the venerable AN/SLQ-25 NIXIE system. It is based on both the British Surface Ship Torpedo Defense (SSTD) and DCL Technology Demonstrator programme. It is an extensive system that consists of towed acoustic decoys that can be deployed like the NIXIE up to 350 yards behind a ship, 2 to 4 acoustic device launchers that fire 16 to 32 self-contained systems that travel away from a ship, and can be made to adapt hard-kill systems.

Variants

AN/SLY-3(V)-1: This is the main version for use on escort ships. It features up to 6 Mark 36 SRBOC launchers and 2 acoustical device launchers of the FADS.

AN/SLY-3(V)-2: This is the largest version for use on capital ships and aircraft carriers that features more Mark 36 SRBOC launchers and 4 acoustic device launchers. The AEB is tailored for the larger ships.

AN/SLY-3(V)-3: This is a compact version for use on smaller vessels and supply ships and features just 2 - 4 Mark 36 SRBOC launchers and 2 acoustic device launchers. It does not feature an AEB.

AN/SLY-3(V)-4: This is a specialized variant of the system for use on special purpose ships.

Advanced Surface SONAR Suite (ASURSS)

The AN/SQQ-90 Advanced Surface SONAR Suite (ASURSS) is like all other systems in use, a combination of systems for a full suite. It uses the AN/SQS-57 Hull Mounted SONAR System and the AN/SQR-20 Advanced Towed Array SONAR.

The AN/SQS-57 Hull Mounted SONAR System (HMSS) is a bow-mounted, spherical array. It is much like the AN/SQS-56 used on the Arleigh Burke class destroyer but is more sensitive and features significant amounts of commonality with the spherical array on the AN/BQS-16. This system is mounted behind a fiberglass cap on most escort vessels and can be used in active and passive modes on multiple band spectrums.

The AN/SQR-20 Advanced Towed Array SONAR (ATAS) is an improvement over the AN/SQR-19 Tactical Towed Array SONAR. It is a towed array system that features two towed buoys, the TB-32 and TB-33. The TB-32 is similar to the TB-30 of the FSCS and the TB-33 is similar to the TB-31 of that system. They can be towed as far as 1,750 yards behind a surface vessel and, like the TB-30, the TB-32 can be used at higher speeds. Like the TB-31, the TB-33 is very sensitive at lower speeds. The TB-32 can also be used in sea states up to 5 while the TB-33 can be used up to sea state 4. They can also be used to trawl beneath a thermocline layer as they are equipped with buoyancy systems.

Variants

AN/SQQ-90(V)-1: This is the primary system and features all of the subsystems.

AN/SQQ-90(V)-2: This is a system for use on smaller vessels and is smaller in size and more compact. It does not feature the TB-32 buoy and instead uses only the TB-33.

AN/SQQ-90(V)-3: This is a system that does not use the AN/SQS-57 HMSS and, instead, uses only the towed buoys.

Future Submarine Combat System (FSCS)

The AN/BSQ-11 Future Submarine Combat System (FSCS) is, like the AACS, a conglomerate of systems. It combines the AN/BQS-16 Future SONAR System, the AN/BPS-16 Submarine Navigation Radar, and the AN/BVS-2 Photonics Mast.

The AN/BQS-16 Future SONAR System (FSS) is essentially the same passive/active SONAR used on the Virginia class submarine with minor improvements and upgrades as newer technologies became available. It features multiple band systems and operates with both a spherical bow array and hull arrays. The FSS features an advanced, high-frequency SONAR for mine hunting and ice avoidance. Additionally, the system mates to the TB-30 and TB-31 towed arrays. The TB-30 Improved Fat Line Towed Array (IFLTA) uses fiber-optic cables within its main line and is capable for use at high-speed and any depth. Additionally, the buoy itself is equipped with a buoyancy system allowing for variable depth. It is especially useful when a submarine is above or below the thermocline as the buoy can be used to skim opposite of the submarine. The TB-31 Improved Thin Line Towed Array (ITLTA) is an improvement on the TB-29 and more sensitive than the TB-30. Like the TB-30 it maintains a buoyancy system for the same reasons and used fiber-optic cables. Both arrays can be towed anywhere from 900 to 1,000 yards behind a submarine.

The AN/BPS-16 Submarine Navigation Radar (SNR) used with the FSCS is the (V)-5 variant used on the Virginia class submarine. It is an X-Band system used for navigation, situational awareness, surface detection, and aerial observation. It can be used in both active and passive modes; although, it is rarely used in a passive mode as that would require extended time at periscope depth with the mast elevated. The SNR is limited to use under 8 knots.

The AN/BVS-2 Photonics Mast is an upgrade to the AN/BVS-1 Photonics Mast. Like the AN/BVS-1, it uses cameras and sensors rather than traditional prisims. It features high-resolution cameras, low-light systems, thermal imaging systems, a laser rangefinder, and an Electronic Support Measures (ESM) array. Fiber-optic cables are used to transmit information to processors in the control center and allows for minimal deployment time, reducing the vulnerability of the submarine.

The FSCS also contains a very important innovation, an electromagnetic signature reduction system, which was deployed on the Virginia class submarine.

Variants

AN/BSQ-11(V)-1: This is the primary system and is used on attack submarines.

AN/BSQ-11(V)-2: This is a modification of the (V)-1 for use in smaller, diesel-electric boats. It does not feature the same hull and bow arrays as the (V)-1 due to the reduced size of the system but it maintains high levels of capability.

AN/BSQ-11(V)-3: This is a version of the system for use in ballistic missile submarines and is tailored for their larger size.