Jul 6 2010
Northrop Grumman and US Navy have started the next stage of the Developmental Flight Test-IIE (DT-IIE) program for the Operational Evaluation of the Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS). Northrop Grumman expects to get approval for full scale production of the ALMDS next year. The flight test program is being conducted by the Navy from the site of Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division in Florida.
Northrop Grumman ALMDS
ALMDS is one of the several airborne mine countermeasures system, being developed by Northrop Grumman, to address the threat from mines to the United States. The mine detection system images the ocean’s near-surface in 3-D using streak tube receivers, and pulsed laser light. The ALMDS features a pod housing, which is mounted on the MH-60S helicopter’s port side. The system measures 21 in. in diameter and about 9 ft. in length.
ALMDS will be incorporated in the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Mine Countermeasures Mission Package as a major component. The Navy has planned to fly the system nearly 40 times during the evaluation. This will be followed by a technical evaluation, which will lead to an Operational Evaluation next year.
Already five ALMDS pods have been provided to the US Navy by Northrop Grumman under the LRIP phase-1 and phase-2 contracts. The company is also involved in the development of the Rapid Airborne Mine Clearance System (RAMICS) for the Navy. The RAMICS will use the data from ALMDS to relocate and destroy the mines.
The VP of Northrop Grumman Maritime and Tactical Systems, Dan Chang, said that mines are present worldwide and are easily accessible by terrorists for use against the military. The aim of ALMDS is to locate the mines quickly, he noted.