Capability assurance program will ensure the future of Navy Mine Disposal

BlueZone Group is working with Thales Australia and Saab Australia to ensure the capability of the Double Eagle Mine Disposal System, is maintained through to the end-of-life of the Huon Class Minehunter Coastal. The Defence has made a down-select decision to explore a variant of the offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), for the new Mine Countermeasures and Survey Vessels under Project Sea 1905 Phase 1 to replace the Huon class. The Double Eagle system provides an essential remotely operated capability to destroy mines in all environmental conditions at diver depth and beyond.

BlueZone Group CEO, Elizabeth Karpiel, said “it was very pleasing for BlueZone to work collaboratively with Thales Australia and Saab Australia on engineering design work, to ensure the capability of key elements of the Double Eagle system.” “With more than 20 years of sustainment experience in remotely operated vehicle support for the Navy, BlueZone is well placed to provide the electronics design know-how for modifications of components such as the Surface Applications Computer and Power Converter Unit.” BlueZone sustainment capability includes advice on the modification of the ship’s cabling and support for set-to-work and sea trials if required.

“Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) will have an enduring role in mine disposal,” Elizabeth mentioned. “The current focus on the use of unmanned systems for MCM phases of search, identification and classification is very encouraging, and this technology will go a long way to ‘keeping the man out of the minefield’.” “However, once the first phases are complete, then attention must turn to the removal of mines by destruction – the option to avoid or ignore a minefield will simply not be available in all cases in the contested waters to Australia’s north”, announced Elizabeth. Taskforce commanders need the operational flexibility to clear a path through a minefield if required, and the Double Eagle system provides a safe and effective method to achieve this in all weather conditions that the Navy must operate in.

Australia holds stocks of DAMDIC charges, and the Double Eagle system is a necessary element in the capability chain to enable mine destruction. The capability assurance program for the Double Eagle, effectively leverages the significant investment in DAMDIC ammunition, which otherwise could not be deployed.