ADEX 2023: KAI MCH to carry two primary anti-mine systems internally

The KAI MCH will deploy its BAE Systems Archerfish Mine Neutralisation System and its Teledyne Gavia autonomous underwater vehicle in its interior cargo section to reduce drag on the helicopter. (Janes/Akhil Kadidal)

Korea Aerospace Industries' (KAI's) new Mine Countermeasures Helicopter (MCH) will have two out of its three deployable anti-mine assets located within the aircraft's internal cargo bay.

According to a project member in KAI, the helicopter, which is currently under development, will store both its BAE Systems Archerfish Mine Neutralisation System (AMNS) and its Teledyne Gavia autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) in its interior cargo section. It was initially planned to install just the AUVs in the MCH's cargo bay.

“The decision to also install AMNS in the cargo bay was taken to reduce drag, which will affect the speed and agility of the MCH,” the project member told Janes on 20 October, during the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2023 held from 17 to 22 October.

A third anti-mine system, Northrop Grumman's Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS), will be positioned on the lower port side of the helicopter. This system is designed to be lowered into the water by the helicopter's Carriage, Stream, Tow, and Recovery System (CSTRS). The ALMDS is a recoverable system designed to detect floating mines and shallow-water mines.

The Archerfish is an expendable mine neutraliser or single-shot mine disposal system. The Teledyne Gavia AUV is a recoverable and self-contained “modular survey platform”, which will be used for deep-sea mine detection.