BAE Systems Lands Landmark Mine Countermeasure Deal with the U.S. Navy

BAE Systems has secured a contract valued at up to £87 million from the US Department of Defense (DoD) to produce and supply Archerfish mine neutralizers for the United States Navy.

This marks the fourth consecutive Archerfish agreement granted to BAE Systems since 2003, ensuring delivery to the US Navy over the forthcoming seven years.

Archerfish serves as a remote-controlled underwater mine neutralizer that can be launched and managed from a surface vessel, helicopter, or an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV). Its fiber optic data link transmits real-time, high-resolution, low-light video and high-frequency sonar imagery of targets of interest sourced from its onboard sensors. The configuration minimizes the duration required to identify and neutralize targets, allowing clearance missions to be executed with greater efficiency. Archerfish also enhances the safety of personnel by negating the necessity for divers to enter the water.

Archerfish is utilized by the US Navy’s MH-60S Helicopter squadrons (AN/ASQ-235) as part of the Airborne Mine Neutralisation capability, deployed from the Littoral Combat Ship.

Under the new agreement, Archerfish will persist in assisting the US Navy in active mine clearance missions and will also offer support for training exercises from now until 2027.

The contract additionally encompasses the provision of fiber optic spool kits, support apparatus, surveys, repairs, and program management and support, all of which will be managed by the Archerfish project team located in Portsmouth, UK.

Dr. Brooke Hoskins, Director of Products and Training Services for BAE Systems’ Maritime Services division, stated: “This contract strengthens our solid partnership with the US Navy, which has seen BAE Systems backing its minesweeping missions for nearly two decades. Archerfish not only enhances sailor safety but also decreases the frequency and expense of mine clearance missions. Its industry-leading capabilities and exceptional cooperation with the US Navy render Archerfish an enticing option for other significant naval forces globally.”

Conceived by BAE Systems through its own funding, Archerfish capitalizes on the Company’s vast knowledge in underwater systems. Archerfish employs a flexible, open architecture command and control mechanism that can operate independently or be integrated into a superior command management framework. Wireless communication enables remote deployment.

Continuous investments are being directed towards improving Archerfish to tackle upcoming mine countermeasure challenges and to lower the lifecycle costs of the system. Innovative fusing will enable recovery and reuse, and an automatic target recognition feature is under development, facilitating simultaneous multi-shot Archerfish operations, allowing for waves of mines to be neutralized.

Archerfish is produced in the UK at BAE Systems’ Broad Oak facility in Portsmouth, Hampshire, and Hillend facility in Dunfermline, Fife. The contract with the US Department of Defense secures 30 highly skilled positions at BAE Systems in Portsmouth and Fife, along with additional opportunities within the UK supply chain.