Saab Multi-Shot Mine Neutralisation System (MuMNS) Deployed from USV

October 28, 2019
, 12:00 am
, Announcements, Defence News

Saab Multi-Shot Mine Neutralisation System (MuMNS) Deployed from USV

A powerful, reliable and adaptable vehicle that can be used in a variety of different roles

Initiated in 2012 under a cooperation agreement between France and the United Kingdom, the Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) programme develops a prototype autonomous system for the detection and neutralisation of sea mines and underwater improvised explosive devices (UWIEDs).

The programme will deliver an autonomous, remotely operated mine countermeasures solution in the next stages including the manufacture and experimentation of the future mine countermeasures capabilities of both France (SLAM-F future mine countermeasures system) and the United Kingdom (MHC – Mine Countermeasures and Hydrography Capability).

Each system will comprise a USV (Unmanned Surface Vehicle) equipped with an autonomous navigation system, obstacle detection and avoidance sonar, threat identification and neutralisation capability based on ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles), a T-SAS (Towed Synthetic Aperture Sonar) and AUVs (Autonomous Underwater Vehicles).

Saab’s unique Multi-Shot Mine Neutralisation System (MuMNS) will be included as a powerful, reliable and adaptable vehicle that can be used in a variety of different roles, including live operational mine clearance, and peacetime operations against historical ordnance, mine investigation and underwater demolitions. The system is effective against a complete range of underwater targets: mines (ground, moored, floating and drifting), depth charges, torpedoes and IEDs.

A separate inspection or training round is not required for MuMNS enabling the team to “train as you fight” in harsh conditions including strong currents and tidal flows. This has never been more important as the introduction of unmanned and autonomous systems to the Navy presents the opportunity to revolutionise MCM warfare.