The experience level of an mine countermeasure operator still plays a vital role in interpreting the AUV data, and will continue to do so.Ĭonfounding the process of identifying mine-like objects are environmental conditions, such as ocean depth, materials or substrate on the ocean bottom (e.g., sand, rocks, mud, etc), and currents. While the processing algorithms (computations) used onboard AUVs are quite sophisticated, the actual identification of a mine is a still a mix of art and science. The pictures recorded need to be evaluated by a trained mine countermeasure operator, using a library of specific, identified items. Still, the process isn’t necessarily automatic. An AUV with a video camera, or another kind of electro-optical sensor, can be vectored (guided by radio communication) to each target of interest to classify and identify each object. The final step is to “neutralize” the mine by destroying or removing it.ĪUVs can search a large area and map mine-like objects using sonar. The second step is to classify the mine-like object as either a mine or a non-mine, and if possible, identify the actual type of mine. The first step in mine-hunting is searching and mapping an area, and noting mine-like objects as possible targets of interest. This means the Navy’s investment in technology has a dual benefit for the country.Īs we sat down after the first good day of operations for the daily “Hotwash” - the meeting where we share data and findings - I thought about the theme of AUVfest 2008: “Partnership Runs Deep: Navy Unmanned Mine-hunting Technologies Help NOAA Explore Sunken History.” It occurred to me that NOAA’s archaeological research can also help a Navy interest. Many of the autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) at AUVfest 2008 were developed for the Navy mine applications, but their systems can also sense archaeological artifacts. Navy is interested in technologies and methods that can help in its mine countermeasure mission, and NOAA is interested in those that can assist in investigations of maritime archaeological sites. NOAA’s Knowledge of Sunken History Helps Navy Identify Mines Click image for larger view and image credit. Comparing sonar images with photographs can help technicians identify what they are seeing, as can data from magnetometers (instruments that detect the presence of iron and/or steel). The cascabel (a rounded projection behind the breech of the gun) is on the other end. Objects protruding from the sea floor, like this one, are known as “proud” objects. To the untrained eye this might look like a rock, but it's actually the muzzle of an 18th-century nine-pound gun.
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