BAE Systems lands $111.6M Navy contract

Arlington firm to manufacture mine neutralizers

Published September 21, 2020 by Sydney Lake

Archerfish system. Photo courtesy BAE Systems

The U.S. Department of Defense awarded Arlington-based defense contractor BAE Systems Inc. (the U.S. subsidiary of United Kingdom-based BAE Systems plc) a $111.6 million contract to manufacture and deliver Archerfish mine neutralizers to the U.S. Navy during the next seven years, the company announced Monday.

This is the fourth consecutive Archerfish contract that BAE Systems has won since 2003. Archerfish is a remote-controlled underwater mine neutralizer that can be launched and operated from a surface ship, helicopter or unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV). Under the new contract, Archerfish will be able to continue to support the Navy with live mine clearance operations and conduct trainings between now and 2027, according to BAE Systems.

“This contract builds on our strong partnership with the U.S. Navy, which has seen BAE Systems supporting its minesweeping operations for almost two decades,” Brooke Hoskins, director of products and training services for BAE Systems’ maritime services business, said in a statement. “Archerfish not only helps to keep sailors safer, it also reduces the number and cost of mine clearance missions. Its world-leading capability and outstanding service with the U.S. Navy makes Archerfish a highly attractive proposition to other major naval forces around the world.”

The Archerfish design reduces the time it takes to identify and neutralize targets, which can help clearance missions be done more quickly, according to BAE Systems. It also protects personnel by not needing to put divers in the water. Under the new contract, BAE Systems will also supply fiber optic spool kits and provide support equipment, surveys, repairs and program management.

Archerfish is manufactured in the United Kingdom at BAE Systems’ Broad Oak facility in Portsmouth, Hampshire and Hillend facility in Dunfermline, Fife. The contract secures 30 jobs for the team based in Portsmouth.