
Northrop Grumman has completed delivery of the first Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) to South Korea, enhancing the nation’s ability to counter naval mines and safeguard critical maritime routes. The delivery forms part of a 2023 partnership with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to integrate US-developed mine detection technology into Seoul’s Korean Mine Countermeasures Helicopter (KMCH) program. The ALMDS employs advanced laser scanning and imaging sensors to detect, classify, and geo-locate surface and near-surface mines from airborne platforms. Unlike traditional towed sonar systems, it allows faster and safer detection operations by covering large areas without direct ship involvement. The system transmits mine location data in real time, enabling rapid response and neutralization efforts. Northrop’s AN/AES-1 variant is currently in operational service with the US Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, where it has significantly improved mission efficiency and reduced risk to naval personnel. The South Korean configuration will integrate with KAI’s rotary-wing platforms, providing multi-environment functionality for both littoral and deep-sea missions. Beyond hardware delivery, the agreement includes joint engineering support, software integration, and local sustainment training. The introduction of the ALMDS marks a major milestone for South Korea’s maritime defense modernization. As regional tensions heighten and undersea threats become more sophisticated, the system provides the ROK Navy with a proven capability to maintain freedom of navigation and safeguard sea lanes. Northrop Grumman has now supplied over two dozen ALMDS units worldwide, underscoring its role as a leader in airborne mine detection technologies and in advancing allied interoperability in naval operations.