Northrop Grumman to Collaborate with Hanwha on the Republic of Korea’s Mine Countermeasures Program
MELBOURNE, Fla. – February 20, 2025 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hanwha, enhancing collaboration on the Republic of Korea’s Mine Countermeasures Helicopter (KMCH) program. This strategic partnership reflects Northrop Grumman’s ongoing industrial collaboration with the Republic of Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration and specifies the roles that Hanwha will play as a supplier.
- This MOU builds on Korea Aerospace Industries’ (KAI) 2023 contract awarding Northrop Grumman the task of providing the Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) solutions along with technical support for the Engineering, Manufacturing and Design phase of the KMCH program.
- As part of this agreement, Hanwha will be responsible for the manufacturing of ALMDS hardware components.
- Northrop Grumman has previously delivered ALMDS units to both the U.S. Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
Statement from the Expert:
Janice Zilch, Vice President of Multi-Domain Command and Control Programs at Northrop Grumman, remarked, “Collaborations with industry leaders like Hanwha and KAI are crucial to our global technology development efforts. Our commitment is to deliver advanced solutions that address the security needs of the Republic of Korea's Ministry of National Defense.”
Program Details:
The AN/AES-1 ALMDS system from Northrop Grumman is designed to detect, classify, and locate both floating and near-surface moored mines. It can be mounted on various helicopter platforms and operates untethered during day or night, allowing for efficient area search rates. The system also provides precise target geo-location to assist in the neutralization of detected mines. Northrop Grumman leverages its deep expertise in systems integration and digital engineering to support the KMCH program.
Hanwha Systems specializes in the manufacture, development, and mass production of defense systems, having established itself as a dominant player in both the defense and civil sectors through synergetic advancements in defense and ICT industries. Since its inception in 1977, it has evolved from creating night vision goggles to becoming a frontrunner in the Korean defense landscape by continually expanding its capabilities in land, marine, aerospace, and cyber domains.
Northrop Grumman remains a premier global aerospace and defense technology firm, dedicated to equipping clients with solutions that enhance their ability to connect, protect, and explore the boundaries of human potential throughout the universe.
Source: Northrop Grumman (2025-02-20T00:00:00Z)
