Northrop Grumman in collaboration with Korea Aerospace Industries delivers the first ALMDS pod for the Republic of Korea’s MCH-1 helicopter. (Photo Credit: Korea Aerospace Industries)
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has delivered the first Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) sensor pod to the Republic of Korea, marking a key milestone in the country’s next-generation mine countermeasure capability.
The system will be integrated onto the Korean Mine Countermeasures Helicopter (KMCH) platform, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). The delivery follows a 2023 contract award, under which Northrop Grumman provides ALMDS technology and full engineering and manufacturing support.
“ALMDS exemplifies Northrop Grumman’s ability to deliver trusted technology for critical missions,consistently performing where it matters most,” said Janice Zilch, vice president of multi-domain command and control programs at Northrop Grumman. “Our collaboration with KAI reflects our shared commitment to advancing defense capabilities with Korean industry, ensuring the safety and security of our allies.”
Enhancing Mine Countermeasure Operations
The AN/AES-1 ALMDS is a proven laser-based system designed for rapid detection and classification of sea mines in coastal and littoral waters.
Operated today by the U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, the system provides untethered day-night operations with high area coverage rates and accurate mine geolocation for follow-on neutralization missions.
The ALMDS pod allows helicopter platforms to detect, classify and locate both floating and near-surface moored mines, significantly improving maritime domain awareness (MDA) and survivability.
To date, Northrop Grumman has delivered 24 ALMDS units to the U.S. Navy and four units to Japan, reinforcing its role as a leader in advanced mine detection technologies.
About Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company providing multi-domain solutionsthat enable its customers to connect, protect, and defend worldwide.
From undersea to outer space, the company’s innovations help define what’s possible in national security and exploration.
Source: https://news.northropgrumman.com/almds/Northrop-Grumman-Delivers-First-Airborne-Laser-Mine-Detection-System-Pod-to-the-Republic-of-Korea
More from Defence Watch: https://defencewatch.eu/interviews-and-insights/defending-the-future-mark-ruttes-call-for-increased-nato-defense-spending/
By: Katerina Urbanova
