Archerfish sensor-based mine neutralizers in development for Navy
NewsSeptember 22, 2020
UNITED KINGDOM. BAE Systems has won a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to develop, manufacture, and deliver sensor-based Archerfish mine neutralizers for the U.S. Navy. The contract is worth up to $110 million (£87 million).
According to the company, this marks the fourth consecutive Archerfish contract awarded to BAE Systems since 2003 and will see the company deliver to the Navy over the next seven years.
Archerfish is a remote-controlled underwater mine neutralizer that is designed to be launched and operated from a surface ship, helicopter, or an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV). Its fibre optic data link relays real-time, high resolution, low-light video and high frequency sonar pictures of targets of interest from its on-board sensors.
The design aims to reduce the time it takes to identify and neutralize targets intended to speed up clearance missions. Archerfish also aims to protect personnel by eliminating the need to put divers into the water.
According to officials, Archerfish is used by the U.S. Navy’s MH-60S Helicopter squadrons (AN/ASQ-235) as part of the Airborne Mine Neutralization capability, deployed from the Littoral Combat Ship.
