Navies around the world continue to invest in a new generation of uncrewed or autonomous systems designed to help enable remote deployments and significantly mitigate the risks—to people, assets, and critical missions—associated with long-established underwater mine counter measures (MCM) and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) exercises.
This shift in product engineering and resource allocation signals a new era for at-sea safety and efficiency, in which traditional crewed MCM/EOD platforms and activities may be phased out by an increasing smart ecosystem of uncrewed assets designed and manufactured by expert marine technology developers.
INITIATION TRANSPONDER 6
Sonardyne is one such outfit looking to accelerate the acceptance of remote systems for the careful disposal of sea mines with the introduction of a new secure, wireless underwater initiation capability.
Speaking exclusively to ON&T, Tom Rooney, Technical Sales Manager – Defence at Sonardyne, said: “As Navies seek to enhance their remote operations capabilities, Sondardyne understands that this requires us to reconsider the in-field playbook for MCM and underwater ordnance, and adjust the mission toolkit accordingly.”
The company’s new Initiation Transponder 6 (IT 6) is case in point. Designed to be connected directly to a remotely deployed, non-electric mine neutralization device, such as a Cobra MDS from ECS Special Projects, the IT6 allows EOD teams to send a wireless, acoustic command from their vessel, safely initiating a shock tube detonator. Recent demonstrations were conducted over distances in excess of 1,000 meters away.
SECURE, WIRELESS INNOVATION
IT 6 is based on Sonardyne’s field-proven Wideband 2 digital signal technology, which offers a reliable and long-range underwater wireless communications link. The development of IT 6 means that service personnel no longer need to hardwire mine neutralizers up to signal relay buoys on the surface and are not restricted to good weather and daylight for setting up an initiation operation.
“Underwater acoustic command and control is a core Sonardyne capability, so we designed IT 6 to equip field operatives with a versatile solution for wireless deployment— in all weather conditions, day or night—and to help facilitate a more reliable and secure approach to MCM/EOD than the traditional methods of involving shock tubes, fuses or detonation lines,” added Rooney.
At just 357 mm tall, 55 mm in diameter, and with a weight of only 0.10 kg, IT 6 is compact, lightweight, and designed to be placed by a clearance diver or remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for both high order detonation and low order deflagration. It features multiple layers of security to prevent unintended activation, including a hydrostatic switch, which only allows the unit to be armed when a pre-determined depth has been reached.
TOPSIDE SUPPORT
Operations using IT 6s are controlled using Sonardyne’s new rugged Deck Topside case and cabled dunker. Environmentally rated to IP67, the case features a daylight readable interactive 7-inch resistive touch screen and rechargeable battery, for when operating from small combat craft with no external power.
The user interface was designed in close co-operation with EOD technicians and enables operating parameters to be set and multiple IT 6s to be configured prior to deployment. During a live operation, two physical buttons provide an additional layer of security, requiring users to hold one button to arm, then simultaneously press the other to initiate.
The dunker is supplied with 10 meters of cable and provides a secure two-way communications link between the surface and IT 6.
For more information, visit: www.sonardyne.com.
This story was originally featured in ON&T’s March 2022 issue. Click here to read more.
