Robot vessels take on the dangerous work of mine hunting
Summary
Navies are using autonomous surface and underwater robots to find sea mines, reducing the need to put sailors in danger. New systems use sonar and AI to map the seabed and identify objects that may be mines, and can be deployed with shore-based teams.Key Facts
- Mines can detect a ship’s acoustic or magnetic signals and cause severe damage, while the threat of mines alone can keep ships from sailing.
- Traditional mine-hunting vessels typically carry crews of about 80 sailors.
- Autonomous mine-hunting systems can be monitored from shore and may need about 20 personnel working in shifts.
- The US Navy used Remus 100 underwater robots to search for mines during the 2003 Iraq war.
- Iranian forces recovered an uncrewed US underwater vehicle in the Strait of Hormuz in early September; the Pentagon said it was an older device that had malfunctioned and carried no classified equipment.
- The Thales Uncrewed Surface Vehicle, developed with the Royal Navy and France’s Marine Nationale, uses sonar and a towed sensor to create detailed seabed images.
- AI software examines seabed images for objects that may be mines, including mines designed to blend into their surroundings.
- Autonomous systems can cost less than conventional mine-hunting ships and can be transported by air with containerised control centres.
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