THE US NAVY has awarded Kaman Aerospace a $6.5 million contract for an additional helicopter-borne Magic Lantern mine hunting system, with development of the next-generation naval airborne laser mine detector in limbo.
An early prototype Magic Lantern system (once a classified USN programme) was used successfully during Operation Desert Storm. The USN considered it as a near-term, interim mine-hunting asset, and operated in the Gulf for two months, locating mines in areas supposedly cleared by other means.
Two Magic Lantern Advanced Development Models (ADMs) are deployed with HSL-94, the naval reserve squadron based at Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, which operates Kaman Aerospace SH-2G Super Seasprite helicopters. The aviation unit will now receive a third Magic Lantern ADM. Work under the contract, is set to be completed, in 12 months' time. The Magic Lantern is due for fleet introduction this year, with battle group deployments in early 1997.
Also on the table is an unsolicited offer from Kaman Aerospace for three additional Magic Lantern ADMs, which would be deployed by HSL-84, the naval reserve squadron in San Diego.
Source: Flight International