BAE Systems has won a contract to adapt a new mine disposal system using Archerfish for Korean Aerospace Industries, as part of the development of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy’s new anti-mine helicopter fleet. Already in service with the US Navy, Archerfish is a remote-controlled underwater mine neutraliser that is launched and operated from surface ships, underwater vehicles and helicopters. In service with the U.S. Navy as part of the MH60s helicopter Airborne Mine Neutralisation System (AMNS), it has been selected as the Common Neutraliser to ultimately equip all U.S. Navy Mine Countermeasure platforms. Archerfish is manufactured in the UK at BAE Systems’ Broad Oak facility in Portsmouth, Hampshire, and Hillend facility in Dunfermline, Fife.
We are proud to be working with Korea Aerospace Industries to develop the Republic of Korea Navy’s future helicopter mine neutralisation capability. This builds on Archerfish’s proven credentials for mine clearance operations with the US Navy. Archerfish helps to keep sailors safe, increases the efficiency of mine clearance missions, and is small and lightweight making it ideal for integration into airborne and surface platforms,”Dr Brooke Hoskins, Director of Products and Training Services for BAE Systems Maritime Services said.
The Republic of Korea Navy is investing in the introduction of a new and complimentary means of carrying out mine countermeasure missions with a new development program to obtain a helicopter mine neutralisation operation fleet to be operated by ROK Navy,”Spokesperson, Korean Aerospace Industries said.
Archerfish combats the resistance of Insensitive munition mines to disposal whilst reducing resource outlays. Clearance time is lowered by a factor of 4 units and through life costs are also reduced due to the integration of the warhead and package. Archerfish can be launched and operated from surface ships, helicopters and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). It is deployed from a launch ‘cradle’ with a fibre optic data link providing exacting command of the weapon. Through the use of high frequency sonar and low light video data, Archerfish will identify mine threats and then emit a shaped charge warhead, initiating a full order detonation of the target. Archerfish’s credentials are impressive. Archerfish reduces the time needed to identify and neutralise targets and eliminates the need to put divers into the water. Under the new contract new features will be developed for the technology including a light-weight launcher and a new data connection link between the aircraft and Archerfish vehicle.
