USN orders more Archerfish mine neutralisers
BAE Systems has been awarded a contract worth up to £87 million ($111.69 million) by the US DoD to manufacture and deliver Archerfish mine neutralisers for the USN.
The company announced on 21 September that this is its fourth consecutive Archerfish contract since 2003.
Deliveries will be completed by 2027.
The contract also includes training support for the USN, plus the supply of ancillary mine neutralisation equipment.
Archerfish is a remote-controlled underwater mine neutraliser that can be launched and operated from a surface ship, helicopter or UUV. It is used by USN MH-60S Seahawk helicopter squadrons as part of the AN/ASQ-235 airborne mine neutralisation capability.
As an open architecture C2 system, it that can be operated on its own or integrated into a higher-level command management structure. Wireless communications mean it can be deployed remotely.
A fibre optic data link with Archerfish relays real-time, high resolution, low-light video and high-frequency sonar pictures of targets of interest from its onboard sensors. The design reduces the time it takes to identify and neutralise targets, meaning clearance missions can be completed more quickly.
BAE Systems added that work is underway to enhance Archerfish; examples include an automatic target recognition function enabling mines to be neutralised in waves.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Israeli Navy looks to expand as war reshapes future force requirements]()
Israeli Navy looks to expand as war reshapes future force requirements
Israel’s navy is preparing for a larger and more technically diverse role, but its ambitions could be impacted by supply chain restrictions, accelerating demand for domestic naval production as well as autonomous maritime capabilities.
-
![Quantum sensing gathers pace as navies eye undersea advantage]()
Quantum sensing gathers pace as navies eye undersea advantage
As AI dominates defence conversations, industry increasingly points to quantum sensing as the technology set to change submarine and uncrewed underwater vehicle operations.
-
![Competitive P17B tender marks a shift in Indian Navy frigate procurement]()
Competitive P17B tender marks a shift in Indian Navy frigate procurement
The Indian Navy's P17B programme is expected to combine greater weapons capacity with a competitive domestic construction model, although key systems could remain dependent on international supply chains.
-
![How France’s SNLE 3G programme is reshaping the naval nuclear industrial base]()
How France’s SNLE 3G programme is reshaping the naval nuclear industrial base
Extending far beyond a four-submarine replacement programme, France’s ballistic missile submarine effort is a decades-long industrial initiative designed to preserve the country’s ability to build and sustain nuclear-powered strategic platforms.
-
![Quantum Systems enters maritime domain with Baltic-focused USV and UUV]()
Quantum Systems enters maritime domain with Baltic-focused USV and UUV
Quantum Systems has launched into the maritime domain with Seavex and Subvex, aiming to close a Baltic Sea ISR gap opened by infrastructure sabotage.
