An underwater vehicle may include a first propulsion element disposed on a first swivel holder, a first drive motor that is able to drive the first propulsion element, and a swivel mechanism that is able to move the first swivel holder relative to an outer hull of the underwater vehicle from a swiveled-in position into a swiveled-out position. The underwater vehicle can detect a given event automatically under water. In response to the detection of the event, the underwater vehicle may activate the swivel mechanism. The activated swivel mechanism may then move the first swivel holder into the swiveled-out position.

Described is a system for neutralising underwater explosive devices including an apparatus for identifying a naval mine, a source for emitting an acoustic signal for signalling the position of the naval mine, a first underwater vehicle designed to place the source for emitting an acoustic signal close to the naval mine, a measurement apparatus designed to determine a first distance between the source of emission of an acoustic signal and the naval mine.

Various embodiments may include a drone for triggering sea mines by means of an external magnetic field. For example a drone may include: a drive having an electric motor; the electric motor comprising a stator and a rotor mounted on a shaft. The stator includes a stator winding arranged on a first carrier. The rotor includes a second carrier and a magnetic or electromagnetic element arranged on the second carrier. The element may be configured to magnetically interact with the stator winding to form a superordinate magnetic field during operation of the electric motor. During operation, the electric motor forms an external magnetic field outside of the electric motor with a magnetic flux density of at least 0.5 mT.

An underwater disruptor comprises a water tight chamber formed by a modified housing, a modified breech, and a modified backplate sealed together by a plurality of O-rings. The underwater disruptor is configured to discharge a firing pin to shoot a water bullet from the modified barrel at a specific underwater explosive threat responsive to receiving a fire command from a remote operator. The water bullet is formed from water ejected from the barrel due to the discharge. The underwater ROV physically hosts the underwater disruptor and is configured to provide video feedback during underwater travel remotely to the specific underwater explosive and to activate shooting of the water bullet responsive to the fire command.

A method comprising: providing an autonomous vehicle (AV) with a first estimated position of a target; directing the AV to travel toward the first estimated position at a constant velocity; receiving echo signals of transmitted sonar signals, the echo signals indicating a range and an azimuth of the target; determining a depth difference of the AV and the target based on the received echo signals, the depth difference being determined based on changes to the range and azimuth of the target over time; and in response to a depth difference existing, re-directing the AV toward a second estimated position of the target generated from the depth difference.

A mine countermeasure device for disabling an undersea mine, and underwater transport, and methods therefor. The mine countermeasure device operates to mask, cancel or neutralise (detonate) the undersea mine. The mine countermeasure device is deployed, together with a plurality of other mine countermeasure devices from an underwater transport, for example autonomously. The underwater transport preferably carries out a scan of an area known to be mined, in order to identify undersea mines. The underwater transport is capable of autonomous operation over the horizon to deliver plurality of mine countermeasure devices. The mine countermeasure device targets particular sensors on the undersea mines.

Various embodiments include a magnetic compensation device for a drone for triggering mines comprising: a flux-guiding element comprising a soft magnetic material in the shape of an open or closed ring; a receiving chamber for the drone for holding the drone; and an electric coil device coupled magnetically to the flux-guiding element so a predetermined magnetic flux can be coupled into the flux-guiding element using the coil device. The flux-guiding element and the receiving chamber are arranged in relation to one another so that a magnetic flux brought about by the drone can be closed through the ring shape of the flux-guiding element.

An underwater vehicle may include a first propulsion element disposed on a first swivel holder, a first drive motor that is able to drive the first propulsion element, and a swivel mechanism that is able to move the first swivel holder relative to an outer hull of the underwater vehicle from a swiveled-in position into a swiveled-out position. The underwater vehicle can detect a given event automatically under water. In response to the detection of the event, the underwater vehicle may activate the swivel mechanism. The activated swivel mechanism may then move the first swivel holder into the swiveled-out position.

A watercraft includes at least one high-temperature superconducting coil and a cooling system for cooling the high-temperature superconducting coil to a cryogenic operating temperature, wherein the cooling system has a first cryostat tank, which surrounds the high-temperature superconducting coil and is designed to hold a liquid phase of a cryogenic coolant; wherein the watercraft also has a load, which is designed to convert an operating medium in the form of a fuel and/or in the form of a material promoting combustion; wherein at least one first material component of the operating medium is formed by the cryogenic coolant; and wherein the first cryostat tank is designed to hold a major part of the required total amount of the first material component of the operating medium for the operation of the load. A method operates a watercraft of this type.

Systems and methods are provided for underwater use. In one example the system includes an autonomous mother unmanned underwater vehicle (AMUV) and one or more auxiliary unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV). The AMUV is configured for autonomously searching for and detecting undersea objects potentially present in an undersea region of interest (ROI), for generating object information relating to the objects detected thereby to enable identification of at least one object of interest (OOI) among the detected objects, and for selectively transporting the UUV to at least within a predetermined distance from a location of the OOI. The UUV is configured for interacting with the OOI at least within the predetermined distance. Such a system is further configured for providing verification information indicative of the interaction between the UUV and the OOI. The AMUV includes a communications system at least configured for transmitting at one or both of the verification information and the object information.