Very Shallow Water Mine Neutralization

One mission of the Naval Special Warfare forces is both location and neutralization of very shallow water anit-invasion mines. This proposal addresses the mine neutralization aspect of the problem. PDA has been developing high speed underwater rockets and projectiles for the past six years for the Navy, primarily under the sponsorship of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC). The performance of both rocket propelled and gun launched missiles has been domonstrated in tests. PDA is currently under contract to NUWC to demonstrate a gun launched projectile for submarine self defense against torpedoes and mine. PDA is also working with Hughes Aircraft Company to develop an air- and water-going version for neutralization of moored and bottom mines from helicopter platforms. This anti-mine munition (AMM) would also be used as part of a surface ship torpedo defense system. A variant of projectile designs currently under development is proposed for the required mine neutralization device. Primary differences are the need for a small light disposable launch tube and a time delay firing mechanism. Projectile design is simplified by the very short effective range desired.