Drones v. Mines

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Earlier this week, navies from over 30 nations began the International Mine Countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX) 12.  As discussed here previously, unmanned naval systems increasingly play a role in reducing the risk to sailors engaged in mine clearance operations and IMCMEX provides a realistic testing opportunity for this equipment.  Before the operational part of the exercise got underway, participants had an opportunity to scope out some of the latest mine hunting technology in Manama, Bahrain.  Some multimedia highlights:


FIFTH Fleet IMCMEX Video featuring snippets of SeaFox, Kingfish, and a VideoRay ROV.  U.S. Navy video by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Blake Midnight/Released)

Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force Officers listen to a demonstration of the Bluefin-9 Shallow Water AUV in Manama, Bahrain. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communications Specialist Joshua L. Treadwell/Released)

An 11 meter Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat launched from Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB) Interim (I) USS Ponce equipped to carry the Mk 18 Mod 2 Kingfish mine hunting UUV. ( U.S. Navy photo by Chief Aerographer's Mate Jamie McClain/Released)
 
Here is a brief, but informative, presentation on the basics of MCM by Lt. Cmdr. Chris White of the Royal Australian Navy including discussions of the REMUS, Swordfish, and Kingfish UUVs.

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