Tech paves way for future anti-mine capabilities

The RAN could soon use remote autonomous systems to jam mine explosives under a new program being explored through industry providers.

CAPTION: Director of Mission Systems PTY David Battle discusses with Captain Etienne Mulder from the Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Group about the use of a generator used to jam mine firing systems. Story by Lieutenant Commander Alan Parton.

The Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Group, based at HMAS Waterhen in NSW, recently participated in a demonstration of a programmable micro-influence generator (MIG), used as part of autonomous mine countermeasures.

Developed by Mission Systems PTY, the MIG is a small device that has mine-jamming capabilities, which could one day be used as part of Navy’s mine warfare. It’s programmable to simulate magnetic and acoustic signatures able to jam or confuse the firing circuit of a mine.

Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Group capability manager Captain Etienne Mulder said this was an excellent demonstration of industry innovation.

“It shows the Navy’s continued interest in the development of Remote Autonomous Systems and artificial intelligence capabilities,” Captain Mulder said.

Mission Systems PTY director David Battle said the next stage was to further improve the effectiveness and deployability of the current working version.

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