NEWTOWN, Conn. - Classified as a legacy system, the BQQ-5(V) sonar has been kept in operational use for the U.S. Navy through upgrades such as the incorporation of the Multi-Purpose Processor. It has been said the Navy's Seawolf class submarines have been equipped with the BQQ-5E(V)4 variant. Upgrades are expected to continue for several more years now that the BQQ-5E(V)4 variant has been integrated into the BQQ-10 sonar suite, which is destined to fully take over the role currently performed by several older stand-alone systems. Additionally, the Navy is looking to eventually replace the TB-29A towed array component with the TB-33 fiber-optic thin-line towed array, which will serve as the primary passive sensor for the BQQ-10.
