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BAE Systems announced that it has been contracted to provide an adapted version of its Archerfish mine disposal system to Korean Aerospace Industries.
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Valued at £7.4 million, the contract includes a “complete” capability, engineering expertise, and support to the Republic of Korea Navy and Korea Aerospace Industries. New features will be developed for the system, including new data links with aircraft.
The remote-controlled underwater mine neutraliser can be launched and operated from surface ships, underwater vehicles, and helicopters.
BAE has confirmed that the Archerfish is already in service with the US Navy, with the contractor detailing that the capability reduces the requirement to rely on divers.
“We are proud to be working with Korea Aerospace Industries to develop the Republic of Korea Navy’s future helicopter mine neutralisation capability,” Dr Brooke Hoskins, director of products and training services for BAE Systems’ Maritime Services, said.
“This builds on Archerfish’s proven credentials for mine clearance operations with the US Navy. 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.”
A spokesperson from Korean Aerospace Industries welcomed the partnership.
“The Republic of Korea Navy is investing in the introduction of a new and complimentary means of carrying out mine countermeasure missions with a new development program to obtain a helicopter mine neutralisation operation fleet to be operated by ROK Navy,” they explained.
In mid-June, KAI confirmed that it has engaged American aviation supplier GE Aerospace to provide health and usage monitoring system for the Korean Marine Attack Helicopter.
The General Electric subsidiary has been selected to develop and supply the HUMS to KAI from sites in Southampton in the United Kingdom and Grand Rapids in the USA, according to a public statement made on 18 June.
The company has already provided more than 250 similar systems to Korea Aerospace Industries for their “Surion” Korean Utility Helicopter.
Deliveries will commence in 2024 and include data acquisition and processing units, optical blade tracker, and multi-platform ground stations.
[Read more: KAI moves ahead with Korean Marine Attack Helicopter delivery]
