Demonstration Unmanned Survey in Minefield
L-3 Klein, USA, has participated in real-time demonstrations that validated the concept of 'Removing the man from the minefield'. During recent exercises off the coast of Camp Pendleton, USA, it was demonstrated that Klein’s MCM Side Scan Sonar could be remotely launched, operated and recovered from an Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV).
Klein also remotely transmitted sonar data from the vessel to a Remote Mission Operation Station where Mine-like Objects (MLOs) were identified and tagged. Klein has proven that a COTS Side Scan Sonar can easily detect MLOs at range, and at speeds of in excess of 8 knots. It has also been proven that the sonar data can be relayed across a communications link to either a remote MCM mother ship or other remote control centre. DATUM was communicated and passed onto a second USV that was able to successfully classify and prosecute the MLO as a mine in 0.45hrs.
