Northrop Grumman Corporation has received a contract from the U.S. Navy
for the continued production of the AN/AES-1 Airborne Laser Mine Detection
System (ALMDS). The contract includes the production of five ALMDS pod
subsystems, support equipment, spares, and technical support. |
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN (Aug. 4, 2014) An MH-60S Sea
Hawk helicopter from the Laser Hawks of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron
(HSC) 26, Detachment 2, equipped with the Airborne Laser Mine Detection
System (ALMDS) conducts flight operations. Operated from the MH-60S
helicopter, ALMDS provides rapid wide-area reconnaissance and assessment
of mine threats in littoral zones, confined straits, and choke points.
The Laser Hawks began the operational testing and demonstration of ALMDS
in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility on the system's maiden
deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class
Sean Furey/Released)
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The ALMDS is mounted on an MH-60S helicopter. Flying
over sea lanes, it finds and geolocates mine-like objects with its pulsed
laser light and streak tube receivers by imaging, in 3-D, day or night,
the near-surface of the ocean.
"This program is a win-win. The airborne sensor has the capability
to keep our sailors out of the minefield and we are producing it while
reducing the per-pod price over previous buys that helps enable the
Navy to meet their cost targets," said Doug Shaffer, director,
electronic attack/maritime systems integration, Northrop Grumman Aerospace
Systems. "We look forward to continuing our long-standing relationship
with the U.S. Navy on the ALMDS program and supporting initial operating
capability in FY16."
The Northrop Grumman ALMDS team is comprised of Areté Associates,
Tucson, Ariz., which manufactures the receiver sensor assembly; Cutting
Edge Optronics, a Northrop Grumman subsidiary in St. Charles, Mo., which
manufactures the high-powered laser transmitter; CPI Aerostructures,
Edgewood, manufacturer of the pod housing; Curtiss Wright Defense Solutions,
Santa Clarita, Calif, manufacturer of the central electronics chassis;
and Meggitt Defence Systems, Irvine, Calif., which produces the environmental
control system.
Northrop Grumman has delivered 12 ALMDS pods to the U.S. Navy through
four low rate initial production lots, and four pods to the Japan Maritime
Self Defense Force which are currently undergoing integration and test
aboard the EH-101 helicopter.
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