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from marinas along the western coast. The exact number of lizing laser detection systems can detect mines just below the mines, as well as their locations, remains largely a mystery, surface, even those hiding in murky water. The Airborne Laser although reports suggest that over three hundred have been Mine Detection System (ALMDS) from Northrop Grumman deployed off the coast of Odessa alone. There are likely other can detect ? oating and near-surface targets using pulsed la- mine? elds as well, the location and scale of which will only ser light emitted from a pod attached to an MH-60 helicopter. come to light once the war comes to an end. The Single-system, Multi-mission, Airborne Mine Detection

Post-con? ict mine clearance will require a multinational ap- (SMAMD) system from BAE Systems is a similar laser opti- proach, leveraging both manned and unmanned technologies cal sensor system that can be integrated into multiple plat- and their related concepts of operation (CONOPS) to “? nd, ? x, forms, such as the US Navy’s MQ-8 Fire Scout UAV.

and ? nish” a wide range of mine threats, including moored con- Once detected and identi? ed, moored contact mines could tact mines, ? oating contact mines, and bottom mines. Detecting be neutralized by EOD divers through controlled detonation, drifting contact mines will be particularly challenging, as this but unmanned systems are a safer and equally effective op- will require visual detection from commercial, military, or rec- tion. The SeaFox from Atlas Elektronik is a moored remotely reational surface traf? c, or electro-optical detection from the air operated vehicle (ROV) that enables standoff EOD from either using manned or unmanned aerial systems (UAS). And because a surface vessel or helicopter. Archer? sh, from BAE Systems, they are adrift, these mines are also challenging to neutralize. is a similar system deployed from air, surface, or underwater

Although explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) divers could be platforms, and is currently in service with the U.S. Navy as part deployed, mines could also be neutralized at standoff range us- of the Airborne Mine Neutralization System (AMNS). More ing supercavitating bullets ? red from helicopter gunships. advanced, integrated MCM systems could also be brought to

While voluntary disclosure and intelligence reports will as- bear, such as the Raytheon Barracuda, a small AUV that can sist in localizing moored mines, airborne MCM rotorcraft uti- be deployed from an unmanned surface vessel (USV) to both www.marinetechnologynews.com 9

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