GB2188008A - Method of detecting and destroying of a mine - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for detecting and destroying of a mine, which is disposed on the bed of a stretch of water, entails use of a detection device 5, a relocation device 6 and a destruction device (7). Between initial contacting and relocating of the mine, at least two transponders (3, 4) are placed in the locality of the mine (mine datum) by means of a thrower on a platform Z. During subsequent relocating by the relocating device (6), the relative position of the mine to the transponders is measured and the determined measurement data are utilised for activation of the destruction device (7), which may comprise a mine- hunting torpedo or firing means on the relocation device. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Method of detecting and destroying of a mine The present invention relates to a method of detecting and destroying a mine and to apparatus for carrying out the method.

For the destruction of a mine lying on the bed of a stretch of water or of a mine warhead of an anchor drag mine, it is known to detect and position-fix the mine by means of a detection device. The mine is then located and in some cases relocated as well as subsequently approached by an unmanned vehicle, for example by a drone. At the location of the mine, the drone leaves behind an explosive charge which, after ignition, destroys the mine. This mine destruction method imposes high navigational demands on the vehicle and is very time-consuming, since a mine-seeking operation lasts, for example, from half an hour to one hour.

There is thus a need for a method by which a mine can be destroyed substantially more rapidly.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of detecting and destroying a mine on the bed of a stretch of water, comprising the steps of locating the mine, dispensing a plurality of transponders in the locality of the mine, relocating the mine and determining the position thereof in relation to the transponders, and utilising the determined positional data to activate a destruction device for destruction of the mine.

The destruction device may be a mine-hunting torpedo and the method may comprise the step of causing the torpedo to deposit an explosive charge at the mine datum. In that case the torpedo can ignite the charge or the charge can be self-ignitable. Alternatively, the method can comprise the step of firing at the mine from the torpedo or of firing at the mine from relocating equipment for carrying out the step of relocating. Such a step of firing at the mine from the destruction device can be carried out in an above or below water position. Expediently, the firing is controlled in dependence on the positional data, for example by applying the positional data to firing control means controlling the firing.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for carrying out the method of the first aspect of the invention, comprising a platform for movement through the region in which such mine is located, the platform being provided with throwing means for throwing such transponders, a mine locating device coupled to and towable by the platform, and a mine relocating device and mine destruction device arranged behind the locating device.

The devices may be arranged at a predetermined spacing from each other. Preferably, the relocating device and the destruction device are disposed on a further platform, and radio transmission means may be present to provide control or data links between the devices.

Such a method and apparatus may have the advantages of only low navigational accuracy demands, low accuracy demands on the thrower and low position-fixing effort in the destruction device.

An example of the method and an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a diagram of apparatus embodying the invention; and Fig. 2 is a diagram showing throwing of transponders by the apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in Fig. 1 apparatus comprising a platform 2 which moves past a mine 1 and is equipped with a thrower (not shown) for dispensing transponders 3 and 4. The platform 2, which can be unmanned, either has its own drive or is drawn over the water by means of a helicopter or ship. Arranged behind the platform 2 at a predetermined spacing is a locating device 5, the detection or position-fixing field of which extends perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the platform 2. Again at a predetermined spacing, a relocating device 6 and a destruction device 7 are arranged behind the locating device 5. The predetermined spacings between the individual devices can be maintained in simple manner by firm interconnection of the devices mechanically, for example by way of cables.It is also expedient to transmit determined measurement data or command signals through radio connections between the individual devices.

The relocating device 6 can be constructed as disposal platform which contains the destruction device 7. The device 7 can comprise, for example, a mine-hunting torpedo, which can either deposit an explosive charge at the location of the mine 1 (mine datum) or destroy the mine by firing. For this purpose, the explosive charge can be ignited by the mine-hunting torpedo itself or by a self-ignition mechanism. It is also feasible to undertake the destruction of the mine by direct firing from the disposal platform, in which case the measurement data of the transponders 3 and 4 are utilised, for example by a fire control installation controlling the firing equipment, for the guidance of the firing equipment (not shown). This also applies to firing from mine-hunting torpedoes.

A mine 1 lying on the bed of a stretch of water is first contacted, located, relocated and destroyed by the following steps: 1. Two transponders are placed in the location of the mine (mine datum) by the thrower of the platform 2 between the initial contacting and relocating of the mine. This process is evident from Fig. 2. The transponders 3 and 4 assume a spacing of, for example, 60 metres one from the other in a depth of water of about 60 metres.

2. The relative position of the mine 1 to the transponders 3 and 4 is measured during the relocation of the mine 1 by means of the relocating device 6.

3. The determined measurement data are utilised for activation of the destruction device 7, for example a mine-hunting torpedo. The destruction of the mine 1 takes place subsequently through the above-described aids.

In the performance of the above-described example of the method, a system time of about 5 minutes can be achieved without difficulties. This means that it takes less than 5 minutes from the detection of the mine until its destruction. The following survey outlines the individual time segments of the method: t = 0 running past the mine by position-fixing drone 2 t = 10 seconds detection and transponder throwing t = 25 seconds transponder ready functionally t = 125 seconds relocation and transponder/mine relative position measurement (500 metres transit path of drone 2 at 5 metres per second) t = 225 seconds disposal drone 6 in firing position (500 metres transit path at 5 metres per second) t = 265 seconds mine-hunting torpedo 7 at the mine (200 metres transit path at 5 metres per second)

Claims (17)

1. A method of detecting and destroying a mine on the bed of a stretch of water, comprising the steps of locating the mine, dispensing a plurality of transponders in the locality of the mine, relocating the mine and determining the position thereof in relation to the transponders, and utilising the determined positional data to activate a destruction device for destruction of the mine.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the destruction device is a mine-hunting torpedo.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, comprising the step of causing the torpedo to deposit an explosive charge at the mine datum.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, comprising the step of causing the torpedo to ignite the charge.

5. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the charge is selfignitable.

6. A method as claimed in claim 2, comprising the step of firing at the mine from the torpedo.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising the step of firing at the mine from relocating equipment for carrying out the step of relocating.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising the step of firing at the mine from the destruction device in an above or a below water position.

9. A method as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, comprising the step of controlling the firing in dependence on said positional data.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9, comprising the step of applying said positional data to firing control means controlling the firing.

11. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. Apparatus for carrying out the method claimed in claim 1, comprising a platform for movement through the region in which such mine is located, the platform being provided with throwing means for throwing such transponders, a mine locating device coupled to and towable by the platform, and a mine relocating device and mine destruction device arranged behind the locating device.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the devices are arranged at a predetermined spacing from each other.

14. Apparatus as claimed in either claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the relocating device and the destruction device are disposed on a further platform.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14, comprising radio transmission means to provide control or data links between the devices.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15, the apparatus being unmanned.

17. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.