Northrop Grumman signs South Korean laser mine detection deal
South Korea’s Mine Countermeasures programme in action with an ALMDS. (Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman)
Northrop Grumman's work on South Korea’s Mine Countermeasures Helicopter (KMCH) programme will be intensified by a new agreement with Genohco. Genohco, a South Korean communications and networking component manufacturer, will supply parts to help speed up the programme which is part of Northrop Grumman’s longstanding industrial cooperation with South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration.
The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding in August 2024, confirming that Genohco would support the manufacturing of parts for the Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS).
The ALMDS is a helicopter-based system which detects, classifies and localises floating and near-surface moored mines. It uses an MH-60S helicopter to provide a rapid wide-area reconnaissance and assessment of mine threats in littoral zones, confined straits, choke points and amphibious objective areas.
The ALMDS uses pulsed laser light and streak tube receivers housed in an external equipment pod to “see” the entire near-surface volume which potentially houses mines. It can be used in both day or night environments without towing equipment in the water and without having to stream out. Instead, it uses the forward motion of the aircraft to generate image data, cutting out the traditional need for complex scanning mechanisms. The ALMDS also delivers accurate geolocation data which can be used to follow up and either neutralise, recover or safely detonate the mines it detects.
So far, Northrop Grumman has delivered 24 ALMDS units to the US Navy and four to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
Janice Zilch, vice-president of multi-domain command and control programmes at Northrop Grumman, said collaborations like the company's new agreement with Genohco were “key to our approach to technology development across the globe”.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
Portugal joins Embraer and Brazil on C-390 ISR capabilities study
The ongoing study was first announced by Embraer in late 2024 with the Brazilian Air Force, with this latest addition announced during the LAAD defence and security exhibition.
-
Philippines approved for potential $5.5 billion F-16 aircraft purchase
The potential sale, approved by the US to the Philippines, is for 20 F-16 Block 70/72 jets, days after US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth visited the country.
-
Sweden commits to acquire four C-390 Millennium aircraft
The acquisition of four C-390 aircraft follows the country’s signing of an MoU in 2023 and formal selection in 2024. It will join the existing contract held by the Netherlands and Austria.
-
Airbus to fly new CUAS UAV prototype this year
The counter-UAS prototype, named Low-cost Air Defence or ‘LOAD’, will be used to combat kamikaze UAS.
-
Taiwan receives first F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft
The aircraft is the first of 66 to be delivered to Taiwan from Lockheed Martin.