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.

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

• AN/SQS-26 AXR - Bronstein-class frigates, FF-1037, 1038
• AN/SQS-26 AXR - Garcia-class frigates, FF-1040, 1041, 1043, 1044, 1045 and FF-1098 (formerly AGFF-1)
• AN/SQS-26 AXR - Brooke-class frigates, FFG-1, 2, 3
• AN/SQS-26 AXR - Belknap-class cruisers, CG-26, 27

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.

• AN/SQS-26 CX - Knox-class frigates, FF-1052-1097
• AN/SQS-26 CX - California-class cruisers, CGN-36, 37
• AN/SQS-26 CX - Virginia-class cruisers, CGN-38, 39, 40, 41

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.