CPI Aerostructures to Develop Pod Structural Coverings for Airborne-Laser Mine-Detection System

Global security company, Northrop Grumman has awarded a contract to CPI Aerostructures, an aircraft component manufacturer, to develop pod structural coverings for the airborne-laser mine-detection system (ALMDS). Under the terms of the contract, CPI Aero will start the work shortly and delivery is expected to commence from November 2011 to February 2012.

The ALMDS is one of the numerous systems that Northrop Grumman is developing to meet the mine threats posed to allied and the US ships. The system utilizes streak tube receivers and pulsed laser light to 3D image in the near-surface of the ocean. In addition, the ALMDS will be a main part of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Mine Countermeasures Mission Package.

The ALMDS is equipped in CPI Aero’s pod that is fitted on an MH-60S helicopter. Northrop Grumman has supplied five ALMDS to the Navy as per the LRIP 2 and 1 contracts. All ALMDS systems featured CPI’s pod structural housings.