The Indian Navy has 24 Sikorsky MH-60R Romeo helicopters on order and will use the type for ASW, ASuW, SAR, and cargo transport missions. (Indian Navy/Brandon Thetford )
India has requested the sale of three types of air-launched anti-submarine warfare (ASW) sonobuoys for use with its new Sikorsky MH-60R helicopter fleet, according to the US Department of State.
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said on 23 August that New Delhi seeks to procure AN/SSQ-53G High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare (HAASW) sonobuoys, AN/SSQ-62F HAASW sonobuoys, and AN/SSQ-36 sonobuoys in a deal potentially worth USD52.8 million.
The US Secretary of State approved the possible Foreign Military Sale on 23 August, which also includes technical publications and data documentation, DSCA added.
The AN/SSQ-53G is a multifunctional directional frequency analysis and recording (DIFAR) sonobuoy combining a passive directional and calibrated wide-band capability. The sonobuoy uses an electronic function selection (EFS) and/or command function select (CFS) to choose the sensor modes prior to or after the sonobuoy's deployment.
The sonobuoy features four acoustic sensor modes and has a GPS location-reporting capability. It can operate to a depth of 300 m and can be launched from an altitude of 9,144 m.
The AN/SSQ-62F is a fifth-generation, all-digital, active directional command active sonobuoy system (DICASS) that provides a GPS capability over earlier variants. The sonobuoy can operate at a depth of 460 m (1,509 ft). Its maximum launch altitude is likely more than 9,000 m.
The AN/SSQ-36 is an older bathythermograph buoy transmitter that records profiles on water-temperature to assist the ASW aircraft's ability to analyse data from other sonobuoys.
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