AUV technology for shallow water MCM reconnaissance

Abstract

The ability to perform MCM reconnaissance missions in shallow water is important in both expeditionary MCM and in the protection of ports against maritime improvised explosive devices (MIEDs). For many years AUV systems have been viewed as offering a suitable platform for performing the required reconnaissance tasks. NURC, amongst others has been investigating system designs for meeting this need. This has

included: experimentation efforts (in collaboration with NATO partners) to test the performance of existing systems and identify technological limitations; and research efforts to develop the technology necessary to better meet the military need. This paper describes the results of these programmes, examining the extent to which current technology meets the requirement and providing a look ahead to the ongoing NURC development work and how it is

addressing an integrated system for current and future shallow water reconnaissance operations.