• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

US DOD Selects The Raytheon And BAE SYSTEMS Team For The New US NAVY Airborne Mine Neutralisation System.

25 Feb 2003

The US Department of Defense has selected Raytheon, Integrated Defense Systems as prime contractor for the demonstration and development of the Airborne Mine Neutralisation System (AMNS). BAE Systems is the partner of Raytheon to supply Archerfish, the mine neutralisation weapon to the programme, which will run until September 2006.

The selection of Archerfish was made against strong international competition from the USA, Germany and Sweden. The Raytheon/BAE Systems solution exploits the complementary technologies of Archerfish developed at BAE Systems Underwater Systems Division at Waterlooville, Hampshire UK and the MCM ROV control expertise from Raytheon, Portsmouth, Rhode Island USA.

The AMNS will be integrated into the US Navy MH-60 helicopter and is a small and highly manoeuvrable low cost "one shot mine disposal" weapon, effective against all types of sea mines.

It's insensitive munitions directed energy warhead developed by SNPE in France makes Archerfish highly effective in the arena of mine counter measures whilst also ensuring safe operation. The AMNS system solution makes maximum use of existing MH-60 helicopter mine countermeasures mission system to provide the US Navy with the most cost effective capability for future mine clearance operations.

Brian Phillipson, BAE Systems Sea Systems Group Managing Director said, "Archerfish is a truly innovative product developed using BAE Systems private investment. Our confidence in investing in Archerfish has been borne out by this outstanding success in the US market and we look forward to playing our full role to our partnership with Raytheon."

Andy Williams, BAE Systems Underwater Systems Division Managing Director said "Archerfish is truly a better, faster and quicker way of clearing mines. We expect this contract to lead to many other Archerfish contracts with the Navies of the world."
About BAE SYSTEMS:

BAE Systems is a systems company, innovating for a safer world. BAE Systems employs nearly 100,000 people including Joint Ventures, and has annual sales of around 13 billion. The company offers a global capability in air, sea, land and space with a world-class prime contracting ability supported by a range of key skills. BAE Systems designs, manufactures and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, guided weapon systems and a range of other defence products. BAE Systems is dedicated to making the intelligent connections needed to deliver innovative solutions.