Denmark to buy Airborne Low Frequency Sonar System and Sonobuoys.

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Denmark nine (9) AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low-Frequency Sonar (ALFS) systems and six hundred (600) AN/SSQ-36/53/62 Sonobuoys with support for an estimated cost of $200 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on August 27, 2019.

The ALFS integrated dipping sonar system enables the MH-60R to accomplish assigned undersea warfare missions (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)

The Government of Denmark has requested to buy nine (9) AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low-Frequency Sonar (ALFS) systems; six hundred (600) AN/SSQ-36/53/62 Sonobuoys; spare and repair parts; support and test equipment; communication equipment; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The total estimated program cost is $200 million.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the military capability of Denmark, a NATO ally that is an important force for ensuring political stability and economic progress within Europe.

The proposed sale will improve Denmark’s capability to meet current and future threats from enemy weapon systems. The ALFS and Sonobuoys will provide the capability to perform anti-submarine warfare missions. Denmark will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and strengthen its homeland defense. Denmark will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.

The AN/AQS-22 ALFS dipping sonar and sonobuoy processing system is the primary anti-submarine warfare sensor of US Navy's MH-60R multi-mission helicopter. It provides mission-critical capabilities, including submarine detection, tracking, localization, classification, acoustic intercept, underwater communication and environmental data collection. The AQS-22 dipping sonar features 4-time greater area coverage than current systems, active or passive sonar modes, active or passive sonobuoys, enhanced shallow water capability, generate high power waveforms and many other advanced characteristics.