Mine Warfare Mine Warfare Different than other weapons

Mine Warfare

Mine Warfare Different than other weapons systems WTarget comes to the weapon WWeapons system activated (planted) without a specific target detected. WDon’t have to be there for it to work. WCan be crude and still be VERY effective WRequires advanced planning

History of Mine Warfare W Revolutionary War – Powder keg covered in tar with flintlock firing device W Civil War – Large scale mining of land sea W World War II – 23, 000 mines laid sinking or damaging 1, 075 Japanese ships W Vietnam War – Extensive mining of inland waterways

US vs Mines B Of the 18 US Navy ships that have suffered battle damage in the last 50 years, 78 per cent was as a result of mines

History of Mine Warfare W W The U. S. had considerably reduced the use of mines since the end of the cold war Recent Events • • • W USS Samuel B. Roberts USS Princeton USS Tripoli Operation Desert Storm • The need for a rapid clearing of shallow water minefields were required in preparation for an amphibious assault.

U. S. vs. MINES What It Takes To Go”Anytime, Anywhere” by Rear Adm. Horne, Proceedings, Jan 1998

USS Tripoli (LPH-11)

“Bad Day at Sea”

USS Samuel B. Roberts

Not just ships……

The Mission Of Mine Warfare W Detect and Avoid or Eliminate mine threat (Mine Countermeasures (MCM)) W “Mining is also a force multiplier in today’s and tomorrow’s conflict scenarios. . ” - Force 2001

Classification of Mines W By method of delivery • • • W Air-delivered mines Surface-delivered mines Submarine-delivered mines By position in the water after delivery • Moored mines • Bottom mines • Drifting mines

Classification of Mines B By method of activation • Contact Mines • Influence Mines – Magnetic – Acoustic – Pressure – Combination

Typical Moored Mine Arming Device Magnetometer Anchor Firing System Components Mechanism Section Explosive Section

Typical Bottom Mine Nose Fairing Search Coil Spoiler Arming Device Explosive Charge Release Mechanism Firing System Components Tail Fin Parachute Pack

U. S. Mines B Quickstrike • based on 500 lb or 2000 lb bombs • kits stored to convert bombs to mines B Mk 60 Captor (rising, deep ocean) B Mk 67 SLMM

CAPTOR Mine* Delivered (MKby 60) air or subs * Deep-Water Moored Mine * Rising Mine * Targeted Against Submarines * Releases a torpedo after it detects a sub.

Mk 60 CAPTOR Mine

Submarine-Launched Mobile Mine * Shallow-water bottom mine * Against Surface ships * Submarine Delivered * Self propelled

SLMM

Improved SLMM

Minefield Planning Objectives Type of Minefield Offensive Defensive Protective Environmental Consideration Geographic location Water depth Currents Bottom type and slope Prevailing sea state What type of Mine do I use?

Delivering the Mines Delivery Considerations Type of Minefield How many mines needed Is the area defended What type of mines needed How accurate the placement Platforms Available Aircraft (P-3 & S-3) Surface ships Submarine (Attack) How Do I Plant the Mines?

Mine Countermeasures (MCM) B Self-Protection • Silencing (protection from acoustic mines) • Degaussing (protection from magnetic mines) • Steaming slowly (protection from pressure mines) B Clearing/Removing Mines • Mine sweeping – Cut cables then activate to destroy (moored mines) – Use acoustic/magnetic noisemakers to activate • Mine hunting – Search and neutralize individual mines – Use sonar then investigate every possible target.

Mine Hunting Techniques B VHF Active Sonar B Divers B UUV

Navy Seals, & Sea Lions

Navy Whales & Dolphins

Mine sweepers B MCM- Avenger Class • Ocean going • Fiberglass-wood construction

Mine sweepers B MHC- Osprey Class • Coastal (low endurance) • Glass Reinforced Plastic construction • Video and Sonar Detection

Mine sweepers B MCS - Inchon • former Amphib Assault Ship • 8 helicopters • support for MHC’s • C 4 I capabilities

Mine sweepers B MH-53 E Sea Stallion • drags sled • clears magnetic and acoustic mines

Built in Mine Hunter What It Takes To Go”Anytime, Anywhere” by Rear Adm. Horne, Proceedings, Jan 1998

Questions? ? ?