Naval mine action technology
Description
Sea mines are a relatively simple and cheap weapon that can be obtained without much difficulty. The use of sea mines poses a serious threat to free maritime traffic, which can cause great economic damage. In addition, sea mines can delay or disrupt expeditionary operations.
Shipping routes to world ports, such as Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Antwerp, and ports of departure and arrival for expeditionary operations are potential targets for terrorist actions. This threat concerns not only Dutch territorial waters but also the Dutch part of the Continental Shelf. The threat from sea mines is increasing because more and more countries possess mine-laying capabilities and modern technology in the field of sea mines is becoming more widespread.
In mine action, a distinction is made between offensive and defensive countermeasures. Offensive mine action prevents the opponent from laying mines by intercepting minelayers, destroying mine depots or laying its own protective minefields.
Defensive mine action aims to reduce the effect of laying mines. This can be done by diverting shipping and by reducing underwater ship signalling (passive) or by deploying mine action units (active).
Our Royal Navy (KM) focuses on active defensive mine action, in which two techniques can be distinguished: detecting and then destroying sea mines (mine hunting) and detonating mines by activating mine sensors (mine sweeping).
At this theme evening, the Royal Navy and TNO Defence and Security will outline the current state of mine-fighting technology. Several lectures will discuss technologies, which can be used to tackle this threat.
On the programme are Port Surveillance Technology, The KM project "Reintroduction of Mine Sweeping Capability", Sonar detection of buried sea mines and a view on Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs). There will also be an opportunity to visit TNO's Acoustic Basin
18:30
Hall open
19:00 - 19:30
Port Surveillance Teams
MinDef / DMO / LTZSD2OC Gert Vlaming
19:30 - 20:00
Reintroduction Mine Sweeping Capability
MinDef / DMO / KLTZ F. Henkelman
20:00 - 20:30
Break
20:30 - 21:00
Sonar detection of buried sea mines
TNO DenV / G. Beckers
21:00 - 21:30
Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs)
MinDef / DMO / LTZ1 B. Kerstens
21:30 - 22:00
SEASTAR surface surveillance radar
Thales Nederland BV / Albert Stegeman
22:00 - 22:30
Visit TNO Acoustic Basin
TNO DenV / G. Beckers
22:30
Drinks
Location
Oude Waalsdorperweg 63, 2597 AK The Hague
Organiser
Defence and Security
Name and contact details for information
Mr Leon Galle, tel. 070-3169139 Mr Jan Wind, tel. 071-7113973