US Navy begins to use robotic minesweeper

In July 2022, the US Navy received permission to use a robotic minesweeper developed by Textron Systems. We are talking about a self-propelled vessel designed to search for underwater mines by acoustic and magnetic methods.

As ready, it should replace Avenger-class Navy minesweepers and MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopters. It will be launched from the side of warships to clear mines from sea communications during various missions.

US Navy begins to use robotic minesweeper

The UISS is powered by a diesel engine. The maximum range is 140 km, the time resource is 20 hours, the payload is 1.8 tons, the speed is about 40 km/h. Several sonars are installed on board the device. In addition, it is equipped with a mine elimination system and surveillance sensors, which allows the ship to simultaneously detect mines and determine their class.

The robotic minesweeper was created as part of the Unmanned Influence Sweep System (UISS) program, aimed at providing the Navy with the ability to quickly examine and destroy mines with acoustic and magnetic fuses in large areas.

The trawling system consists of an unmanned surface vessel equipped with an acoustic generator and magnetic cable, which are designed to simulate the presence of a warship. The bottom line is to deceive and defuse an explosive device. Special materials reliably protect the unmanned minesweeper from the shock wave resulting from the underwater explosion of sea mines. According to the military, robotic equipment can withstand much more loads than humans.

Over the years, the program has worked tirelessly to improve and operationalize the UISS system, which will ensure the safety of the Navy's most valuable asset - our sailors, preventing them from entering the minefield, said U.S. Navy spokesman Godfrey Weeks.[1]

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