REMUS Features in US Navy and JMSDF Mine Warfare Exercise

Mk 18 Mod 1 Unmanned Underwater Vehicle

The REMUS UUV (Mk 18 Mod 1 Unmanned Underwater Vehicle) has featured in Mine Warfare Exercise (MINEX) 1JA 2021. MINEX 1JA is part of an annual series of exercises between the U.S. Navy and JMSDF designed to increase proficiency in combined mine countermeasure operations and ensure the freedom of maritime navigation. During the nine-day exercise, participants conduct unit-level mine warfare tactics to include mine hunting, detection, and prosecution.

Recent commentary on the Quad (Australia, India, Japan and the United States) has urged cooperation to improve joint interoperability, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, share logistics for power projection and enhanced access to and joint development of defence technology.

The REMUS UUV is one strong example where joint interoperability can be readily implemented as Australia, Japan and the US all operate REMUS systems.

UUV capabilities are being used increasingly by the RAN to conduct persistent and high-fidelity search and surveillance operations to minimise the personnel exposure to danger and/or long-term mental fatigue associated with repetitive activity.  UUVs are used to collect surveillance and intelligence information in a range of operations relating to Mine Warfare (MW), Antisubmarine Warfare (ASW), Acoustic Intelligence (ACINT), environmental data collection and monitoring and hydrography.

Maintenance is conducted on a REMUS UUV (Mk 18 Mod 1 unmanned underwater vehicle) aboard the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) minesweeper tender JS Uraga (MST 463) during Mine Warfare Exercise (MINEX) 1JA 2021 (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nick Bauer).

A REMUS UUV (Mk 18 Mod 1 unmanned underwater vehicle) is placed onto a combat rubber raiding craft aboard the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) minesweeper tender JS Uraga (MST 463) during Mine Warfare Exercise (MINEX) 1JA 2021. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nick Bauer).

A REMUS UUV (Mk 18 Mod 1 unmanned underwater vehicle) is launched from a combat rubber raiding craft during Mine Warfare Exercise (MINEX) 1JA 2021. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nick Bauer).