Under contract to Naval Surface Weapons Center (NSWC) Indian Head, Md., Atlas North America (Atlas NA) will deliver the Atlas Portable SeaFox Mine Neutralization Systems (PMNS) to address an urgent operational need from U.S. Navy Central Command for a more effective mine countermeasures system.
Under this contract, Atlas NA is responsible for the delivery of the SeaFox system, installation, integration, testing, training and life cycle support of these portable systems. All deliveries are expected to be complete within one calendar year.
Sergio Diehl, President of Atlas North America stated: “We are extremely pleased to once again have been selected to provide the SeaFox Mine Neutralization System to the US Navy and sailors operating in forward deployed areas, enabling them to more effectively and safely counter the mine warfare threat. It is an honor to provide under-sea warfare systems for use by the U.S. Navy.”
These systems once installed will augment the previous systems the US Navy (USN) acquired. These contracts include the Surface Mine Neutralization System (SMNS) presently being deployed as part of the ongoing MCM Ship Class upgrade, and the Airborne Mine Neutralization System (AMNS) installed onboard the MH-53 Helicopters.
This fiber-optic guided, one-shot mine disposal vehicle SeaFox is used for semi-autonomous disposal of naval mines and other ordnance found at sea. It is able to automatically relocate previously acquired positions of underwater objects within minutes with the integrated homing sonar.
After relocating, these objects can be identified using the onboard CCTV camera and destroyed by the use of a built-in, large caliber shaped charge. It is deployable from a wide range of carrier platforms, including dedicated mine countermeasures (MCM) vessels, surface combatants, craft of opportunity, rubber boats and helicopters.
Atlas NA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlas Elektronik GmbH of Bremen, Germany and serves the U.S. market with a specific focus on undersea warfare and unmanned vehicles.
The Atlas Elektronik Group stands for maritime and naval solutions above and below the ocean surface. The company holds a leading position in all fields of maritime high technology, from command & control systems including radio & communication systems for submarines, surface combatants and mine warfare systems and ranging to heavyweight torpedoes, coastal surveillance systems and in-service support. The electronics specialist is a joint company of ThyssenKrupp and EADS and has a workforce of over 1900 highly skilled employees.
