|
|
 |
Naval Mine Sweeping |
|
Active
mine countermeasures are carried out by either
equipment designed to detonate or remove mines which is
towed or carried through the mined area, or
minehunting gear is used to detect and locate mines so
that they may be disposed of at once or at a later
time.
Initially the process of using a mechanical gear to
physically contact the mine or its appendages to cut
the mine mooring, detonate or otherwise remove the
mine from the area was called minesweeping. The
invention and consecutive use of the influence mine
(magnetic, acoustic, pressure or combination) required
a minesweeping gear able to produce an influence field
or fields of sufficient magnitude to actuate the mines
detection system and so detonate the mine.
Nowadays minesweeping includes both the use of
mechanical and/or influence sweeps. Both (unmanned)
surface crafts and helicopters may be deployed as
minesweepers. |
|
|
|
Mechanical sweeping is accomplished by towing a wire
astern of the minesweeper on which can be fitted
various types of wire cutters to cut the mine mooring
(fig 1 & 2). |
|
|
|
Alternatively a net or chain can be towed at any depth
from surface to sea bottom to physically remove the
mine from the area. Multiple numbers of sweepers can
be operated simultaneously (fig 3) |
 |
|
Influence sweeping is accomplished by:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
