Navy

Meet the Barracuda: A Semi-Autonomous Mine Hunting Hound of the Deep

BY SOFREP News Team

Diving into Raytheon’s Barracuda, the future of underwater warfare. These beasts redefine mine countermeasures with cutting-edge tech.

AN/AQS-20C (Q-20C) Sonar Sensor Post Mission Analysis, 2019. (Image source: DVIDS)

Ladies and gentlemen, strap into your seats and hold on to your hats. We’re about to plunge into the depths of military tech wizardry with Raytheon’s latest brainchild, the Barracuda countermine device.

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This is more than just another gadget; it is a significant breakthrough in mine countermeasure technology, a pioneer in underwater warfare.

Barracuda: The Underwater Maverick

The origin of this 26-pound, 48-inch-long torpedo-like device was conceived under the $83-million US Navy contract, which defense tech giant Raytheon received in 2018.

That’s Barracuda for you, folks – a semi-autonomous, mine-hunting hound of the deep.

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With 128 of these bad boys in production, the Navy’s getting ready to unleash hell on mines everywhere.

This thing’s got it all – a kill mechanism that doesn’t mess around, jet propulsion that would make a shark jealous, and sensors sharp enough to spot a needle in a haystack.

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ANAQS-20C
AN/AQS-20C Towed Mine-hunting Sonar (Image source: DVIDS)

It’s guided by the AN/AQS-20C sonar system, a real piece of work that turns the Barracuda into a precision-guided missile of the sea.

The Barracuda has sophisticated eyes and ears – a camera and sonar on its nose to ensure it’s hitting the right target.

Once it’s locked on, boom! It’s a one-way ticket to oblivion for any mine in its path.

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Completing the Technical Data Package is a critical step toward Barracuda’s planned low-rate initial production in fiscal year 2027.

Launch Platforms: Unleashing the Beast

The Navy’s still playing coy about where they’ll launch these monsters from, but bets are on the littoral combat ship’s mine-countermeasures package.

Raytheon’s cooking up a launcher that’s sure to be as badass as the Barracuda itself.

This project isn’t just about blowing stuff up underwater; it’s about changing the game in mine warfare.

With the Critical Design Review tucked under its belt, Barracuda is on track to redefine the rules of underwater engagement.

AN/AQS-20C Sonar System: The Silent Hunter

Now, let’s talk about the Barracuda’s dance partner – the AN/AQS-20C sonar system.

This isn’t your granddad’s sonar; it’s a high-tech beast that can sniff out mines like a bloodhound.

It’s got sonars coming out of its ears, painting a picture of the underwater world that’s clearer than a Caribbean day.

This system’s not just smart; it’s a genius.

It spots, classifies, and IDs mines with a flick of its digital tail.

It’s like having an underwater Sherlock Holmes, only faster and deadlier.

Platform Agnostic Deployment: Anywhere, Anytime

The beauty of the AN/AQS-20C? It doesn’t care where it’s deployed from – ships, choppers, inflatable boats, you name it.

It’s a plug-and-play nightmare for mines, ready to roll on any platform the Navy throws at it.

https://youtu.be/KF_46xNw5V0?feature=shared

With the Barracuda and the AN/AQS-20C, Raytheon’s not just making waves; it’s starting a tsunami in mine countermeasures.

These systems are more than just tools; they’re a declaration of war against underwater threats.

As they gear up for deployment, the message is clear: the Navy’s playing for keeps.

The Barracuda and its sonar sidekick are set to turn the ocean floor into a no-man’s-land for mines, securing the seas for those brave souls who traverse them.

Welcome to the future of underwater warfare, folks. It’s going to be a wild ride.

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