Introduction on Naval Minewarfare

When in 1951 the coast of WONSAN (Korea) was found to be mined, the invasion from seaward by the US/UN fleet was jeopardized and abandoned. When in 1972 the U.S.A. dropped mines in the harbour of HAIPHONG (Viëtnam) this port became effectively closed for many months. In 1984, the merchant navy world was shocked when, in the Red Sea, 19 merchant ships were damaged by mines of mysterious origin. The 1987-1988 and 1991-1992 Gulf crises and the Iraq war of 2003 showed once more how vulnerable naval and merchant ships can be to mines.
Therefore, the ability to counter sea mines is not a luxury but a MUST for our seafaring Nations. The use of sea mines has changed very little since their invention. Mines are still cheap and effective, invisibly and patiently waiting for passing ships. The modern mine can now actively detect and select its target and explode at the most appropriate moment, i.e. when it will inflict the greatest damage to its victim. In Naval Mine Counter Measures (NMCM) three distinct techniques are used : minesweeping, minehunting and clearance diving.

The "classic" minesweeping consists of : towing steel wires through the water. These are equipped with explosive cutters which will sever the mooring cable of moored mines. The surfaced mine will then be destroyed by gunfire or divers. towing a noisemaker and an electric cable or solenoid generating an acoustic/magnetic field. These signals simulate the target ship. A correct simulation will seduce the mine to explode under the sweeping gear.

Minehunting uses sensor systems (e.g. sonar) to reach the seabed and water volume for the presence of mines. Once detected, the mine is destroyed by exploding a mine disposal charge brought next to it, either by a remotely controlled underwater vehicle or by divers. Clearance diving is the technique whereby divers systematically search the areas, where minesweepers and minehunters cannot operate. These mines found are then countermined.
More modern NMCM systems use small remotely controlled unmanned surface vessels (drones), fitted either with minesweeping gears or minehunting equipment. Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) or even Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) form the most modern way to counter the mine threat. Whatever technique is used, NMCM remains a slow, complicated process with a very high risk. None of the weapon systems can guarantee success if its operators have not received adequate education and training.