CPI Aero will produce three housings for approximately $800,000. Part of a larger group of products designed to detect or destroy mines in the sea, the littorals, on beachheads or on the ground, the ALMDS, which is produced by Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems sector, uses lasers to detect mines in the ocean at depths sufficient to protect ships.

Mounted in a MH-60S helicopter, an ALMDS unit is flown ahead of a convoy to determine if mines lie in a ship's path. The pod structural housings to be built by CPI Aero are pressurized and thermally conditioned structural assemblies that contain the ALMDS electronics. Two units containing pod housings produced by CPI Aero already have been delivered by Northrop Grumman under LRIP Lot 1, and the Navy is performing operational tests on them.

In March 2008, Northrop Grumman also announced that it anticipates that it will produce 25 units over the next five years when the program enters full rate production in 2010. There is also potential for international sales.

CPI's President and CEO, Edward J. Fred stated, "CPI Aero was selected by Northrop Grumman as its 2005 Supplier of the Year in the Structures category for its excellent performance on the ALMDS pod during LRIP Lot 1. It is with great pride that we have been selected to work on the next phase of this program with this very valuable customer, and we look forward to providing these pod assemblies to Northrop Grumman throughout their overall requirement period."

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Related Links
Naval Warfare in the 21st Century