In all our recent discussions and posts on mine countermeasures I have completely ignored the subject of offensive mining but the recent BALTOPS exercise included a demonstration by the USAF of offensive mining using their B-52’s and Mk 62 Quick…
Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER is a multi national search and EOD exercise hosted by Canada on the west coast. Held annually, Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER improves participants’ readiness to counter explosive threats, including Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The training simulates a complex…
Whether the objective is to clear mines for safe passage of ships offshore or in support of a port opening or amphibious operation the equipment used is likely to be the same.
What is commonality? An interesting question in its own right, the dictionary definition is The state of sharing features or attributes. In a defence context, this means sharing methods, training, procedures and equipment. Commonality in equipment can exist at the…
The Royal Navy released a news piece this week about ongoing trials of unmanned mine countermeasures systems. The evolving development of such sophisticated unmanned underwater systems in support of survey and mine countermeasures has been a regular at TD towers,…
We know that mines have a disproportionate effect to their cost, whether conventional mines or improvised they remain and will remain a significant barrier to operations in either environment. At DSEI were a few systems on display; Land Pearson Engineering…
The Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) has announced five shortlisted candidate companies to enter the next stage of the harmonised UK/French maritime mines countermeasures programme. For the French, it is the Système de Lutte Anti-Mines – Futur (SLAM-F) and the…
A diversion from the shabby goings on elsewhere. The sea mine is the IED of the maritime environment, cheap, easy to deploy and with a tactical and strategic effect out of all proportion to the resources expended. Libya Standing NATO…
Whilst the blogging world has been wetting its pants over Osama and that mystery stealth helicopter there has been some interesting activity in the waters off Misrata, the kind of interesting activity that doesn’t get any coverage because its not…
