Mines

MCM - Mine Countermeasures

objectives in MCM

• operational freedom for own forces

• protection of SLOC (Sea Lines of Communication) in own territorial waters

• protection of SLOC in international waters

• protection of critical infrastruture

• (support of amphibious operations)

• route survey operations

• minehunting clerance operations

• minesweeping clearance operations

• ISR operations

• mine avoidance

• (lead through)

Environment

• detection by sonar (LF or HF): signal to noise

  • leads to: minelike echos

• classification by sonar (LF or HF): measurement of shape, size, target, strength, shadow, environment

  • leads to: minelike contacts

• identification: by optical means

  • leads to: mines (identified)

• disposal: by expendable one-shot mine disposal vehicle

• simulating signatures in order to activate mine detonators

  • accoustic

  • magnetic

  • electric

  • other

• focusing on imitating special ship signatures: Target Setting Mode (TSM)

• focusing on mine detonators: Mine Setting Mode (MSM)

  
  

  by

  • towed simulation gear

  • simulation gear on USV

  • simulation gear towed by USV

• main sensor is the HMS

• mine disposal by expendable mine neutralization vehicle

• additional capabilities by AUV + SAS

• additional capabilities by self propelled variable depth sonar

• additional sweeping capability by remote controlled influence minesweeping

• mine hunting

  • LF long range detection

  • HF detection & echo classification

  • VHF high resolution echo & shadow classification

  • simultaneous depth classification

• mine avoidance

  • 3D LF detection

• side scan mode

  • LF, HF and VHF

• Sonar Performance Indicator

• Test Modes

  • on-line / off line test (BITE)

  • transducer test

SeaFox -> Mine Disposal

• accoustic, magnetic or UEP simulation

• optimum adjustment to firing system by Mine Setting Mode (MSM)

• maximum protection of vessels by Target Setting Mode (TSM)

• capable of simulating small to large vessels by combination of up to four signatures

SAS: synthetic aperture sonar

AUV: unmanned underwater vehicle

USV: unmanned surface vehicle

with SAS more than 6 times higher resolution vs. SSS (Side Scan Sonar)

Force / Harbour Protection