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AN/AES-1 Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) | | | Description
In terms of availability, variety, cost-effectiveness, ease of deployment and potential impact on joint expeditionary warfare; mines are perhaps the most attractive weapons available to prevent U.S. naval forces from achieving sea control and power projection ashore. The AN/AES-1 Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) will be among the initial Organic Airborne Mine Countermeasures (OAMCM) systems fielded to counter mine threats. The mission of ALMDS is to detect, classify, and localize floating and near-surface moored mines. The ALMDS will be integrated into the MH-60S Helicopter to provide rapid wide-area reconnaissance and assessment of mine threats in littoral zones, confined straits, choke points, and amphibious objective areas for Carrier and Expeditionary Strike Groups (CSG/ESG). ALMDS will be embarked as part of the mine countermeasures (MCM) mission package on the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). | | | Features
• MH-60S Helicopter
o Common Console
o Carriage, Stream, Tow, and Recovery System (CSTRS)
• ALMDS Pod
o Environmental Control System (ECS)
o Central Electronics Chassis (CEC)
o Pod Pressurization System (PPS)
o Pod Housing
o Laser Transmitter
o Laser Electronics Unit (LEU)
o Receiver Sensor Assembly (RSA)
o Hardware Control Unit (HCU)
o Power Distribution Unit (PDU)
• Support Equipment
o Maintenance Laptop
o Breakout Box
o Mission Planning Laptop
o OPMA Workstation
o MHU-191 Transporter
| | | Background
The U.S. Navy has a mission need to rapidly detect, classify, and localize floating and near-surface moored sea mines for the self-protection of the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) and Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) assets. This capability is particularly important in the littoral zones, confined straits, choke points, and the Amphibious Objective Area. Such a capability does not exist in the current Mine Countermeasures (MCM) inventory. A Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) based sensor, mounted on a MH-60S helicopter, presents the most viable concept for this system. | | | Point Of Contact
Office of Corporate Communication (SEA 00D)
Naval Sea Systems Command
Washington, D.C. 20376 | | | | Last Update: 31 October 2012 | | |
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