BAE Systems secures £87m contract with US navy

BAE Systems was awarded its fourth consecutive Archerfish mine neutralisers contract with the US Department of Defense, the company announced on Monday.

The company will supply the US navy with the remote-controlled underwater mine neutralisers for the next seven years, under the terms of the new contract that is worth up to £87m.

The contract also includes the supply of fibre optic spool kits, support equipment, surveys, repairs and programme management and support. This will be provided by the Archerfish project team based in Portsmouth.

The military kit is built in BAE Systems’ Broad Oak facility in Portsmouth and in the Hillend facility in Fife. The US contract has secured 30 highly skilled jobs at both facilities and further jobs in the UK supply chain.

Archerfish is used by the US Navy’s MH-60S Helicopter squadrons (AN/ASQ-235) as part of the Airborne Mine Neutralisation capability, deployed from its Littoral Combat Ship.

BAE will continue to support the US Navy in live mine clearance operations and also provide capabilities to conduct training exercises between now and 2027.

Dr Brooke Hoskins, director of products and training services for BAE Systems’ Maritime Services business, said: “This contract builds on our strong partnership with the US Navy which has seen BAE Systems supporting its minesweeping operations for almost two decades.”