Operating in the littoral environmental requires a number of complementary technologies and practices for the ADF. From rapid environmental assessment to mine counter measures (MCM), Australia is looking to lessons learned from partners such as the US to shape their own thinking.
The US Navy has found that major changes in the world environment during the last few years have significantly altered its role as an instrument of national policy and that it must now be capable of directly impacting events ashore.
In eerie parallels with current RAN understanding, this in turn requires forward deployed naval forces tailored to operate in the littoral environment for the purpose of achieving expeditionary power projection.
This littoral warfare focus has significant implications for the manner in which both the USN and the RAN approach the mine countermeasures problem. Sea and land mines are perhaps the single most attractive weapon available to third world nations for the purpose of preventing naval forces from accomplishing their objectives in the littoral environment.
To deal with this threat in the future, both navies have had to formulate new operational concepts for mine countermeasures, including the integration of mine countermeasures with their main war-fighting capabilities.
The USN’s MCM Concept of Operations is a mix of four focused operations to provide naval forces the capability to counter the mine threat. The four mine countermeasures operations which comprise this concept of operations are:
- Survey, mapping and intelligence operations
- Surveillance operations
- Organic MCM operations
- Dedicated MCM operations
US and Coalition forces in the near future will have sufficient information from environmental and intelligence sources to allow rapid assessments of sensor and weapon performance – individual platforms and expeditionary force packages will know where to go and what to expect.
SEA 1778 Organic MCM capability
For the RAN broad-scale mine clearance operations are the responsibility of the six Huon Class MHC Minehunters, and whether these are overtaken by the multi-role platform proposed under Sea 1180 remains to be seen. Nevertheless for a deployable MCM capability Defence has turned to the acquisition of MCM capabilities for employment by task groups spearheading offensive amphibious and other operations in the littoral.
To this end First Pass has been approved for Sea 1778 – Deployable Mine Counter Measures (MCM) – so those interested, including deployed maritime forces, should be looking forward to a capability to undertake mine detection, classification, identification, avoidance and when necessary, neutralisation.
ADM understands this will be the initial means by which task groups implement self-protective MCM along intended routes, through choke points and within objective areas. And according to the DCP this capability will be complemented by the current dedicated MCM force, which will consolidate MCM effort within the area of operations.
Originally intended to introduce a limited deployable MCM capability for an Amphibious Task Group centred on the Landing Helicopter Docks (LHDs), it was due for introduction in 2013 however this limited capability will not be introduced until 2015. This phase is based on the acquisition of a system of organic MCM elements that can be embarked in the ships of a deploying task group, and employed to overcome mine threats encountered during task group operations.
With an estimated budget of some $100 million, what sort of systems is the MCM force looking for to meet their needs? It seems these include both autonomous underwater vehicles and remotely operated surface and underwater vehicles for roles such as remote and covert minehunting, minesweeping, and expendable mine neutralising systems. Clandestine and overt diver insertion is an important capability for mine demolition using command initiated mine detonation systems.
For this non-specialist article we have picked some random examples of COTS systems available.
Mine neutralisation
There are a number of modern systems available to locate and neutralise mines. Atlas Elektronik SeaFox is in wide use by various navies including the USN, and is part of the Airborne Mine Neutralisation Systems recently developed by Lockheed Martin against a USN rapid deployment capability. SeaFox is a fibre-optic guided, one shot mine disposal vehicle 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-calibre shaped charge. The one-way concept significantly reduces the disposal time and extends the operational envelope. The system has been fully qualified for military purposes and has been introduced in large numbers into various navies including the US Navy. It is deployable from a wide range of carrier platforms, including dedicated MCM vessels, surface combatants, craft of opportunity, rubber boats and helicopters.
Another example is BAE Systems Archerfish, an expendable mine neutraliser or single shot mine disposal system. It is capable of overcoming the threat of modern mines which have become increasingly resistant to traditional methods of mine disposal. Archerfish combats the resistance of insensitive munition mines to disposal whilst reducing resource outlays. Clearance time is lowered by a factor of four units and through life costs are also reduced due to the integration of the warhead and package.
Archerfish can be launched and operated from surface ships, helicopters and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). It is deployed from a launch ‘cradle’ with a fibre optic data link providing exacting command of the weapon. Through the use of high frequency sonar and low light video data, Archerfish will identify mine threats and then emit a shaped charge warhead, initiating a full order detonation of the target.
Archerfish’s credentials are impressive and it is currently undergoing qualification with the USN as part of the MH60S helicopter Airborne Mine Neutralisation System (AMNS). It has been selected as the Common Neutraliser to ultimately equip all USN Mine Countermeasure platforms.
Saab recently unveiled its Hydra multi-shot mine neutralisation system that can be fitted to Saab Seaeye remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) or other platforms. The Hydra, which broke cover at the annual Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) conference from 12-15 August, combines Saab Seaeye’s commercial and defence ROV work with the Ballista disruptor.
Autonomous minehunting and surveillance
Mine countermeasures involve finding the mine, classifying it, and destroying it so that it is no longer a threat. Currently, AUVs are being used to survey the seabed to detect mines; however, classifying the mines and destroying them still rely to a great extent on expert divers, who are placed in harm’s way, and to ROVs, which are expensive if treated as an expendable device. AUVs have the potential to offer a safer, faster, and lower-cost solution for mine classification and disposal.
According to Kongsberg Maritime, responsible for the REMUS and HUGIN AUV systems, AUVs are an ideal tool for near real time coastal environmental assessments, facilitating discreet or covert operations, and providing a highly reliable and stable platform that can acquire vital environmental data. They are used to gather spatial and temporal data that allows an operator to characterize the ocean and seabed properties. AUVs are low noise platforms that bring advanced sensors in optimal position and geometry for mapping of underwater threats.
AUV operations may be in very shallow water for beach approaches, shallow water to assess transition zones and deep water to survey routes ahead of dedicated forces. In areas where tide differentials permit, the AUV may also be used to gather surf zone data.
REMUS vehicles are in operational use in a wide number of applications including navies, hydrography and marine research including in Australia. HUGIN AUVs boast exceptional operational experience from commercial and naval operations. REMUS and HUGIN vehicles have different capabilities and thus different applications and roles. Both are COTS products in serial production, available with short delivery times.
The Atlas Elektronik SeaOtter is another autonomous vehicle for underwater survey, mapping, imaging, inspections and measurements with high reliability and safety. The exceptional hydrodynamic form and twin hull with sectional modularity allows the integration and operation of various sensor systems, propulsions, energy packages and navigations. The length and width can be changed by using special interface connectors.
Integrated vehicle guidance, internal system analysis and optimised AUV core assures effective and riskless missions, even under extreme conditions. It provides positioning and navigations of outstanding accuracy, even for extended operations and relocalisation. The SeaOtter system can be operated from ships, piers or platforms.
USVs for off-board MCM ops
Thales UK has joined with Autonomous Surface Vehicles Ltd (ASV Ltd) to develop a re-configurable Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) to meet the challenges of future off-board MCM operations.
Deployable from military platforms, the craft is air transportable with payload flexibility to suit the MCM mission – unmanned underwater vehicles, towed sonar, disposal systems, and minesweeping. The craft is a stable platform with excellent slow speed and towing capabilities. The low signature USV, which is 11.5 metres in length and 3.6 metres in beam, will have a maximum speed of around 25 knots. The vehicle is undergoing acceptance trials which include payload trials drawing on experience gained in previous off-board system programs.
Similar unmanned small craft would appear to be an important element of deployable MCM capabilities for expeditionary task groups.