Northrop Grumman wins Navy contract for mine countermeasures systems

Oct. 19, 2010
Bethpage, NY -- A $45 million contract for initial production of an Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) has been awarded to Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) by the U.S. Navy.

Bethpage, NY -- A $45 million contract for Phase 3 of low-rate initial production of the AN/AES-1 Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) has been awarded to Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) by the U.S. Navy. The contract includes the production of four pods, spares, product development and support at a lower cost-per-pod than in previous lots.

The ALMDS pod is mounted on an MH-60S helicopter and detects mines using pulsed laser emissions and streak tube receivers by 3-D imaging, day or night, the near-surface of the ocean while flying over the sea.

The company has delivered five pods to date. The Navy is performing the Developmental Flight Test-IIE (DT-IIE) program from its Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division site in Florida. These tests lead towards Operational Evaluation and the full-rate production decision next year.

"What's critical to the warfighter is the performance of the system. We are confident that DT-IIE results will prove the unique threat detection value and performance of our ALMDS," stated Northrop Grumman's Dan Chang, vice president of Maritime and Tactical Systems.

The Northrop Grumman ALMDS contractor team comprises Arete Associates, (Tucson, AZ), which manufactures the receiver sensor assembly; Northrop Grumman subsidiary, Cutting Edge Optronics (St. Charles, MO), which manufactures the high-powered laser transmitter; CPI Aero (Edgewood, NY) manufacturer of the pod housing; Curtiss Wright/DY4, (San Diego, CA) manufacturer of the central electronics chassis; and Meggitt Defense Systems, (Irvine, CA) which produces the environmental control system.

Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

About the Author

Stephen G. Anderson | Director, Industry Development - SPIE

 Stephen Anderson is a photonics industry expert with an international background and has been actively involved with lasers and photonics for more than 30 years. As Director, Industry Development at SPIE – The international society for optics and photonics – he is responsible for tracking the photonics industry markets and technology to help define long-term strategy, while also facilitating development of SPIE’s industry activities. Before joining SPIE, Anderson was Associate Publisher and Editor in Chief of Laser Focus World and chaired the Lasers & Photonics Marketplace Seminar. Anderson also co-founded the BioOptics World brand. Anderson holds a chemistry degree from the University of York and an Executive MBA from Golden Gate University.    

Sponsored Recommendations

Linear Stages & Rotary Stages for High Precision Automation & Motion Control

Feb. 13, 2025
Motorized Linear Translation Stages & Rotary Precision Positioning Stages for High Performance Automation & Motion Control | PI USA

Motion Controllers for Precision Positioning and Automation

Feb. 13, 2025
PI manufactures a range of precision motion controllers and drivers for positioning systems, including stepper motors, brushless motors, and servo motors.

7 Reasons Why Air Bearings Outperform Mechanical Bearings

Feb. 13, 2025
Frictionless air bearings and air bearing stages have decisive advantages in precision motion and automation applications.

Precision Linear Actuators, Motorized and Piezo-Driven

Feb. 13, 2025
High Performance Linear Actuators & Stages, Ball-Screw Stepper Actuators and Micro Actuators with High-Speed, High Accuracy and Resolution | Manufactured by PI

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Laser Focus World, create an account today!