US Navy Upgrades Mine Warfare Capabilities With New Archerfish Neutralizer Contract.

According to information published by the U.S. Department of Defense on June 6, 2025, BAE Systems Surface Ships Ltd., headquartered in Portsmouth, United Kingdom, has received a $10.5 million firm-fixed-price modification to an existing contract (N00024-20-C-6407) to supply MK64 Mod 0 explosive destructors and fiber optic spool kits. These components are integral to the Airborne Mine Neutralization System (AMNS) Archerfish, which provides rapid and highly accurate mine disposal capabilities from rotary-wing and unmanned aerial platforms. Funded through FY2025 Navy weapons procurement budgets, all production will take place in the UK, with contract completion anticipated by December 2027.
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The image shows an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter equipped with Archerfish mine neutralizers for rapid airborne deployment. (Picture source: Bae Systems )

The Archerfish mine neutralizer is a state-of-the-art, lightweight, expendable, remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) specifically engineered to neutralize naval mines in deep and shallow waters. Measuring approximately 1.6 meters in length and weighing around 16 kilograms, the system can be deployed from the U.S. Navy’s MH-60S Seahawk helicopters as well as from unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and remotely operated surface vessels. Its compact form factor facilitates rapid deployment and high maneuverability in complex underwater environments. Archerfish is equipped with a high-frequency sonar system and a low-light camera that provide real-time imagery and target discrimination capabilities, enabling operators to positively identify and engage threats. Navigation and control are maintained via a fiber-optic tether, which transmits live video and telemetry back to the launch platform. The payload consists of a high-precision shaped charge warhead, designed to penetrate and detonate the explosive content of sea mines without triggering sympathetic detonations or unnecessary collateral damage. The system is rated to operate at depths up to 300 meters and offers a stand-off engagement capability, reducing risk to manned assets.

From a tactical perspective, the new contract to supply additional MK64 Mod 0 destructors and updated fiber optic spool kits enhances the operational readiness and versatility of the U.S. Navy’s mine countermeasure forces. In modern naval operations, freedom of movement through contested littorals and chokepoints is critical, and sea mines remain one of the most cost-effective and widespread maritime threats. By integrating the Archerfish into expeditionary strike groups and carrier strike group operations, the U.S. Navy ensures a persistent and rapid-response mine neutralization capability that can be deployed from airborne platforms, without requiring the presence of slower, risk-prone legacy minesweeping vessels.

The fiber optic enhancements improve command-and-control resilience in environments with electronic warfare interference, while the new destructors ensure increased lethality against next-generation stealthy or buried mine types. This acquisition is aligned with the Navy’s Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO) concept and Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) doctrine, where speed, flexibility, and survivability are essential. The capability to eliminate underwater explosive threats swiftly and with surgical precision supports broader mission assurance for amphibious landings, port security, and critical sea line of communication (SLOC) clearance, making the Archerfish a vital asset in maintaining naval superiority in peer and near-peer conflict scenarios.

The importance of effective mine destruction capabilities cannot be overstated in modern naval warfare. Naval mines, often low-cost yet devastatingly effective, pose serious threats to warships, commercial vessels, and amphibious operations. Their strategic use in denying access to maritime areas, blockading ports, or delaying fleet movements presents a significant asymmetric challenge. By maintaining a robust and agile mine countermeasures capability, the U.S. Navy ensures the uninterrupted flow of maritime trade, the security of allied naval assets, and the operational freedom of its fleets. Systems like Archerfish, which allow precise, remotely operated neutralization of mines, play a pivotal role in preserving sea control, deterring aggression, and enabling joint force entry in denied areas, ultimately contributing to the broader objectives of maritime domain awareness and deterrence.