Advancements in Mine Countermeasures: The Role of AUVs in the Danish Navy

The Danish ministry of Defense Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) has recently integrated the Voyis Recon LS payload into its newly acquired Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). These Light Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (LAUVs), developed by OceanScan Marine Systems & Technology, are set to enhance the Danish Navy’s capabilities in mine countermeasures (MCM).

Design and Functionality of LAUVs

Engineered for durability and ease of use, the LAUV is a lightweight AUV that can be deployed and retrieved by a single operator. The Voyis Recon LS System empowers these uncrewed underwater vehicles to conduct discreet identification of mine-like objects (MLOs) while minimizing the need for diver involvement. This is achieved through the use of high-resolution 4K digital cameras and precise 3D laser modeling.

Understanding Mine Countermeasure Operations

MCM operations are typically divided into four critical phases: Detection, Classification, identification, and Disposal/Neutralization. Currently, the initial stages of mine detection and classification are primarily conducted using side-scan sonar technology. However, to visually identify the mines, a vessel must navigate into the minefield to deploy either a clearance diver or a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). This process can be labor-intensive and time-consuming, especially in areas with intricate seabed configurations, where sonar detection frequently enough leads to false positives. Such inaccuracies can result in unnecessary deployments of divers, placing personnel and vessels in perilous situations.

Enhancing Efficiency with Voyis recon LS

The Voyis Recon LS is particularly effective for remote mine identification, allowing for autonomous reacquisition missions to be carried out using the same vehicle assets that performed the initial detection. this system can gather extensive visual identification data, including both quantitative 3D laser and qualitative still images, all within a single survey mission. By providing reliable identification of targets, the data collected is georeferenced, which enhances the localization of potential threats and streamlines the operational tempo for MCM missions that require divers or ROVs to neutralize high-risk targets.

Expert Insights on the Technology

A representative from OceanScan highlighted the innovative capabilities of the LAUV, stating, “The ability to collect side-scan sonar data while concurrently capturing images from cameras directed at the seabed is particularly noteworthy. Voyis was chosen for their module’s proficiency in acquiring video footage in low-light conditions while also constructing a 3D point cloud from those images.”