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.
Forming part of the Reconciliation Bill, the funding will support multiple efforts involving autonomous capabilities, interceptors, missiles, rockets and torpedoes.
The delivery acceptance of the future USS Pierre marks the conclusion of the construction phase for the Independence-variant.
The new Barracuda version has been engineered to perform enhanced subsea and seabed warfare missions.
The nearly $25 billion investment will cover USCG procurement of cutters, aircraft, helicopters, training simulators and Polar capabilities over the next four years.
After commissioning, FRC Frederick Mann will operate in Alaska and perform multiple missions.
The US Coast Guard (USCG) created new units, including five Programme Executive Offices (PEOs), to facilitate and speed up the procurement of new capabilities.
Connect with us on socials
