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AQS903 SEQ3 Circuit Board

Technical Information

Catalogue No: C0943
Category: Surveillance/Acoustics
Object Type: Module/Sub-Assembly/Component
Object Name: AQS903 SEQ3 Circuit Board
Part No: 6743-01158
Serial No: 00024
Manufacturer: GEC Avionics
Division: Maritime Aircraft Systems [MASD]
Platform(s): Merlin AW101 (EH101)
Year of Manufacture: circa 1990
Dimensions: Width (mm): 162
Height (mm): 221
Depth (mm): 15
Weight (g): 600
Location: Rack RAA03 [Main Store]
Inscription(s):

NSN 5998-99-168-9063
SEQ3
SSD
Pt. No. 6743-01158
DL. Iss. 2
Ser. No. 00024
AQS903
Mod Record 1

Notes:

This is a Circuit Module from the AQS903 system which was returned for a repair. The function is not at present known. A database describes the module as PANEL,P/C, M/L, Assembly. SEQ3.

It had become clear that only a redesigned acoustics system would enable the Sea King replacement (now called WG34) to meet the Royal Navy's full operational requirements.

The main problem was to pack all of the sophisticated processing into a small and lightweight enough package for this new helicopter. The resultant system was the AQS-903 a powerful lightweight acoustic processor for helicopter and fixed-wing applications. This system can process data from eight to 32 sonobuoys in any combination. This flexibility is derived from the design based around a number of processing 'pipelines', each able to handle a certain quantity of passive and/or active sonobuoys. Four of these pipelines provide a processing power eight times that of the earlier generation AQS-901, at a fraction of the size and weight.

AQS-903/903A series make extensive use of distributed processing, with the systems incorporating the latest component technology to provide the operator with a wealth of information. The system provides a wide range of processing options to enable the operator to smoothly progress from initial contact detection to classification, localisation and tracking to achieve an effective mission. Analysis and display cues are in plain language, requiring a minimum of operator training. The system can process data from LOFAR, DIFAR, HIDAR, Barra, DICASS and CAMBS buoys.

The AQS-903/AQS-903A are powerful lightweight acoustic processors for helicopter and fixed-wing applications. These systems can process data from eight to 32 sonobuoys in any combination. This flexibility is derived from the design based around a number of processing 'pipelines', each able to handle a certain quantity of passive and/or active sonobuoys. Four of these pipelines provide a processing power eight times that of the earlier generation AQS-901, at a fraction of the size and weight.AQS-903/903A series make extensive use of distributed processing, with the systems incorporating the latest component technology to provide the operator with a wealth of information. The system provides a wide range of processing options to enable the operator to smoothly progress from initial contact detection to classification, localisation and tracking to achieve an effective mission. Analysis and display cues are in plain language, requiring a minimum of operator training. The system can process data from LOFAR, DIFAR, HIDAR, Barra, DICASS and CAMBS buoys.

Thomson Marconi Sonar (TMS) was formed in 1990 by the merger of the sonar systems businesses of Thomson-CSF, Ferranti. GEC acquired Ferranti's share of the business in 1995 and the business occupied many sites including the Corsair Building at Rochester.

With the merger of Marconi Electronic Systems and British Aerospace in 1999, BAE Systems acquired Marconi's 49.9% share in TMS. In 2001 BAE Systems exercised an options agreement which forced Thomson, renamed Thales, to purchase its stake in 2001. The company was renamed Thales Underwater Systems.

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