MELBOURNE, Fla., Jan. 29 (UPI) -- A laser-based system for the detection of naval mines has been delivered to the U.S. Navy for use on its latest helicopter.
Northrop Grumman turned over the first production version of its Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) pod to the Navy in a small ceremony last week at Northrop's plant in Melbourne, Fla.
"This milestone represents an important step forward as we are now delivering the next generation in mine countermeasures technology,'' said Gary Humes, the Navy's mine warfare program manager.
The ALMDS is designed for use aboard the Navy's new MH-60S mine-hunting helicopter and is a breakthrough in that it doesn't require any buoys or other equipment to be lowered into the water, a process that takes time and limits the area the helo can cover in one mission.
The system uses a blue-green laser that slices through a seawater environment and can ferret out mines at varying depths, including floating mines on the surface. The aircraft is equipped with a 30 millimeter canon and the OASIS mine-countermeasures system that will detonate or otherwise neutralize the mines that are found.
Mine sweeping is becoming a considerably more important aspect of naval warfare as the United States looks toward the "littoral" operations expected in the coming decades. The MH-60S will assist in protection of amphibious operations in shallow coastal waters and in keeping critical shipping passages open.
"Because ALMDS has no in-water components, it will help shorten the detection timeline and maximize the helicopter's time on station, thereby providing the maneuvering force with essential capability to dominate the complex, high-operational tempo environment of the littorals," Humes said.
