Remote MCM – Search, Detection and Classification

Remote MCM – Search, Detection and Classification

Many countries are moving to Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) to perform MCM search operations (keep the man out of the minefield). AUVs provide a significant benefit when covert operations are required. If this is not the case, a major disadvantage of AUVs is a relatively slow search rate with no real time information available for operational assessment.

For MCM Search, Detection and Classification phases an Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) towing a sonar provides a faster search rate (compared with AUV operations) and the benefit of real-time data availability to the operational Command & Control Centre. This concept of operation can include the following features:

• All sonar data is sent back to Command & Control Centre in real-time. The data can be assessed in real time and operational profiles and plans adjusted to account for tides & currents, weather, equipment issues and changing operational requirements
• Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) to aid detection and classification of Mine Like Objects (MLOs). The ATR software can operate on high-performance shore-based computers without the limitation of packaging software for mobile operation with processing and power limitations.
• Mine warning sonar used to avoid passing close to a moored potential MLO
• Location of detected and classified MLOs used to guide the future Identification and Disposal operations. These operations could commence when search is still underway in other areas

The Klein 5900 Towed Multibeam Side Scan Sonar (SSS) is designed for high speed surveys, providing a good search area rate and value for money. This enables the option to deploy several low-cost systems with different mission profiles compared with only one high-cost system. For a two-ocean Navy the advantage of rapid deployment of systems from local locations can provide an operational advantage. Towed Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) is significantly more expensive than SSS technology and many SAS systems are subject to ITAR restrictions. The Klein 500 includes an integrated nadir gap-filler sonar. This sonar data can also be used for ATR processing as it produces side scan data.

Klein System 9500 Side Scan Sonar

The Klein 5900 Towed Multibeam Side Scan Sonar (SSS) with integrated gap-filler provides a 40% improvement in coverage rate as overlapping tracks are eliminated.

The Klein System 5900 Advance Mine Hunting Multi-Beam Side Scan Sonar enables high-speed surveys to 14 knots with a nadir gap filler sonar.