BAE Systems has been selected to integrate a mine countermeasure capability into South Korea’s new anti-mine helicopter fleet.
Part of a 7.4-million-pound ($9.4-million) deal with Korea Aerospace Industries, the British company will supply its Archerfish single-shot mine disposal system to the Asian nation.
According to BAE, the system is capable of identifying mine threats and emitting a shaped charge warhead for effective detonation of the target.
It also uses high-frequency sonar and low-light video data.
Apart from the Archerfish, the company will provide engineering and maintenance.
Furthermore, BAE Systems will develop additional functionalities for the system, including a lightweight launcher and an enhanced data connection link between the helicopter and the Archerfish vehicle.
Keeping Sailors Safe
BAE’s Archerfish is a remote-controlled underwater mine neutralizer commonly deployed from surface ships, underwater vehicles, and helicopters.
It is already in service with the US Navy, having been integrated into the UH-60 mine clearance chopper.
The system reportedly reduces the time needed to neutralize targets and eliminates the need to put divers into the water.
“Archerfish helps to keep sailors safe, increases the efficiency of mine clearance missions, and is small and lightweight making it ideal for integration into airborne and surface platforms,” BAE Systems maritime director Brooke Hoskins explained.
