Big Blue is looking to get up to 1,000 additional Archerfish mine destructor vehicles (tiny, really maneuverable, slow torpedoes) for the AN/ASQ-235 Airborne Mine Neutralisation System (AMNS).
Developed by BAE Systems, the Archerfish vehicle was selected as the Common Neutraliser to equip AMNS, part of the USN’s airborne organic mine clearance capability, is deployed from the MH-60S helicopter and is intended to neutralize bottom, close tethered, and moored sea mines. Meant largely for Hawks deploying on littoral combat ships, they could conceivably be used fleet wide.
In a $8 million sole-source pre-solicitation notice published on 29 January 2014, NAVSEA announced its plan to contract BAE Systems “to produce up to 966 Archerfish Neutralizers (Destructor, Mine Neutralization, Airborne EX 64 Mod 0 Archerfish, EX 65 Mod 0 Archerfish, and EX 66 Mod 0 Archerfish)”, together with fibre-optic spools, neutraliser interface boards, neutraliser interface and deployment packages, and support equipment.
Testing of the Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS), another component of the system, started with the LaserHawks of HSC-26 in August 2014
140804-N-WX059-219 NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN (Aug. 4, 2014) An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the Laser Hawks of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, Detachment 2, equipped with the Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) conducts flight operations. Operated from the MH-60S helicopter, ALMDS provides rapid wide-area reconnaissance and assessment of mine threats in littoral zones, confined straits, and choke points. The Laser Hawks began the operational testing and demonstration of ALMDS in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility on the system’s maiden deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sean Furey/Released)
US Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) this week dropped another $22 million ($56 cumulative) for Archerfish which should move the ball down the field a bit.
