Date added: 2024-11-05
Another deep-sea vehicle, "Ukwiał" has been delivered to the minesweepers
The "Ukwiał" deep-sea system, equipped with a remotely operated underwater vehicle, is designed for detecting, identifying, and neutralising sea mines in waters ranging from 5 to 200 metres deep. It can also be used for a variety of observational tasks in the water and for basic manipulative operations.
How does the "Ukwiał" work?
During a mine countermeasure mission, the deep-sea vehicle navigates to the designated reconnaissance area, guided by information from a tracking system that monitors the vehicle’s relative position in the water. The movement is tracked using the ship’s sonar station and an ultra-short baseline hydroacoustic navigation system. Once the deep-sea vehicle is near the target, it captures it using a miniature sonar station (scanning sonar) mounted on the vehicle. The sonar then carefully guides the vehicle towards the target.
When the target comes into view of the onboard cameras, it is identified. If the target is classified as a mine, the deep-sea vehicle can perform one or more of the following actions:
- Mark the target with a hydroacoustic transmitter, allowing for easy relocation of the mine later for neutralisation.
- Maintain contact with the target (mine) until a demolition team arrives.
- Enable precise location marking of the target using the hydroacoustic navigation system and a surface navigation system, which can later assist in locating the mine again.
- Place a Toczek A or Toczek B explosive charge or a Toczek C anchor cable cutter in a designated spot on the mine.
After placing the explosive charge or cable cutter, the deep-sea vehicle returns to the surface vessel and is lifted onboard. Once the vehicle and vessel are at a safe distance from the mine targeted for destruction or release, the explosive or cutting device is remotely triggered by sending a coded acoustic signal.
