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The AQS-18A is a mid-frequency helicopter
dipping sonar system designed for active, long-range search, localization and attack of submarines in both shallow and deep water environments. The sonar detects and maintains contact with underwater targets through a transducer lowered into the water from a hovering helicopter. Active echoranging determines the bearing, range and opening or closing rate of the target relative to the position of the helicopter.

The lightweight AQS-18A dipping sonar features long pulses, high source levels, FM capability,
16-beam signal processing, and a 20 nautical mile coverage range. The AQS-18A system is fully compatible with MIL-STD-1553B databus architectures to facilitate integration with aircraft subsystems and components. Interfaces are also provided to accept input data and provide graphic and data outputs to a sonics data recorder, as well as video for sensor data display.

The AQS-18A wet end consists of a small high-density transducer assembly,
a 440 m cable and compatible reeling machine and dome control. The dry end consists of the sonar interface unit, cable interface power supply and sonar control unit. The sonar interface unit has powerful signal processing algorithms specifically designed for increased pulse lengths and spare processing space for additional processing features such as computer-aided detection and classification, multi-sensor target fusion, embedded training and performance prediction (based on environmental data collected during past or current missions). The sonar control unit provides simple interface menus for operator command and control of the sonar system.

Optional dry-end subsystems include cable payout indicator, bearing-range indicator and multifunction display.