Speed is often the Enemy of Safe and Efficient Mine Disposal

When asked to provide an overview of the challenges facing alternative mine countermeasure techniques, Royal Navy veteran Neil Hodges, CEO of the Australian firm BlueZone Group, which specialises in robotics and mechatronics for use in coastal seas and deep ocean and 40% of whose work comes from defence projects, told APDR: “In mine warfare terms, speed is often the enemy of safe and efficient mine disposal.”

Navy’s mine countermeasures program is being developed in two separate projects. The existing minehunters are having their lives extended and capabilities increased, while a separate project is acquiring a deployable mine countermeasures capability.

Former RAN Mine Warfare Officer James Lawless of Saab Australia told APDR that:
“Saab is heavily engaged in supporting Thales as part of SEA1179. We are also assisting DSTG with detailed risk reduction activities for future mine warfare capabilities. Specifically, we have proposed a complete and integrated Internal/External Communications suite built using our IP based tactical system and also some obsolescence management/enhancements to the Double Eagle. This includes exploring future evolutions of the system such as providing the ability to render safe multiple mines using one vehicle.

“Double Eagle is a one of kind system and is in operation with over nine declared Navies worldwide and will be supported to 2040 and beyond.
Australia, in particular, has a very unique operating environment with currents up to 7 knots and a multitude of different coastlines and bottom types. Double Eagle is perfectly suited to operate in these conditions.”

Double Eagle Mine Disposal Vehicle operated from Huon Class Minehunter Coastal.

Double Eagle Mine Disposal Vehicle operated from Huon Class Minehunter Coastal.