Raytheon Delivers Modular Scalable Sonar System for DARPA's Anti-Submarine Warfare Program

Raytheon Company has completed delivery of its latest Modular Scalable Sonar System (MS³), the fifth-generation hull-mounted sonar system, for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)'s Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous TrailUnmanned Vessel (ACTUV) program. The delivery is a culmination of efforts under a subcontract from Leidos, Inc., whose prototype trimaran is designed to serve as the program's unmanned vehicle.

MS³ marks an improvement in the performance and reliability of proven sonar technologies. It performs active and passive search and tracking; incoming torpedo warning; and small-object avoidance for safer navigation. Sensor data from the system is used in the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) mission to help build a common operating picture for ACTUV. MS³ will be integrated into Leidos' trimaran for ACTUV, and will deliver these capabilities in an autonomous operating environment.

"MS³ builds on a legacy of sonar expertise, integrating a host of capabilities in a single sonar system," said Paul Ferraro, vice president of Advanced Technology for Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems business. "MS³ will provide DARPA with exceptional performance – from detection to tracking – from an unmanned platform."

About MS³
Flexible, affordable and high-performing, Raytheon's MS³ addresses current and emerging threats from undersea. It is the fifth-generation hull- and bow-mounted sonar, building on the proven capabilities of Raytheon sonars currently in service worldwide. MS³ features a streamlined inboard electronics suite that can be configured for a range of sonar capabilities, including ASW, anti-surface Warfare (ASuW) and mine warfare, for most hull and bow-mounted arrays and towed systems. It was designed and developed with an open architecture for maximum flexibility, supporting phased upgrades or new construction programs. MS³'s unique, modular architecture enables tailored, capable solutions to counter today's undersea threats with inherent scalability to adapt to the evolving threats of the future.