A method for operating a mine-sweeping system and corresponding mine-sweeping system, wherein the mine-sweeping system includes at least one drone for detonating sea mines. The drone has at least one magnet element for magnetically detonating the sea mines. The method includes a) translationally moving the at least one drone in the water and b) carrying out a first rotational movement of the drone with respect to a first degree of rotational freedom.

A watercraft may include a first shaped charge as well as a second shaped charge. The second shaped charge may be positioned behind the first shaped charge in an effective direction of the first shaped charge. The effective direction of the first shaped charge and an effective direction of the second shaped charge may run to a common target point. At least one of the first shaped charge or the second shaped charge is movable. Further, a distance sensor may be configured to detect a distance between the watercraft and an object positioned in front of the watercraft. An electronic evaluation and control system can process the distance that is detected by the distance sensor and move at least one of the first shaped charge or the second shaped charge based on the distance that is detected.

The present invention relates to a system for attaching a device to an object, comprising: an attachment device for attaching the device to an object, the attachment device having a trigger for triggering activation of the attachment device; a releasable coupling device for releasably coupling the attachment device to a deployment system. The releasable coupling device comprising: a housing; a trigger system, configured to trigger the attachment device trigger; and a retaining system, configured to releasably retain the attachment device. The releasable coupling device is configured such that: in a first configuration, the trigger system is in a disarmed state; in a second configuration, the trigger system is in an armed state, such that movement of the attachment device relative to the housing of the releasable coupling device activates the trigger of the attachment device; and in a third configuration, the retaining system releases the attachment device. The invention is particular of use in attaching an ordnance clearance charge to underwater ordnance. The invention further relates to an unmanned underwater vehicle comprising such an attaching system.

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.

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.

The present invention relates to a system for attaching a device to an object, comprising: an attachment device for attaching the device to an object, the attachment device having a trigger for triggering activation of the attachment device; a releasable coupling device for releasably coupling the attachment device to a deployment system. The releasable coupling device comprising: a housing; a trigger system, configured to trigger the attachment device trigger; and a retaining system, configured to releasably retain the attachment device. The releasable coupling device is configured such that: in a first configuration, the trigger system is in a disarmed state; in a second configuration, the trigger system is in an armed state, such that movement of the attachment device relative to the housing of the releasable coupling device activates the trigger of the attachment device; and in a third configuration, the retaining system releases the attachment device. The invention is particular of use in attaching an ordnance clearance charge to underwater ordnance. The invention further relates to an unmanned underwater vehicle comprising such an attaching system.

A drone for triggering naval mines, which drone includes a drive having an electric motor for locomotion in the water, wherein the electric motor can be used additionally to trigger the naval mines during operation of the drone, by an external magnetic field formed by the operation of the electric motor. The electric motor includes a stationary stator and a rotor, which is mounted for rotation relative to the stator. The stator includes at least one magnetic and/or electromagnetic element for forming an excitation field. The rotor includes at least one armature winding, which electromagnetically interacts with the excitation field during operation of the electric motor, whereby a superordinate magnetic field is formed. The external magnetic field formed outside of the electric motor during operation is in the form of a constant magnetic field.

Methods and apparatus for inspecting an underwater vehicle. In embodiments, a system receives a SAR image for at least a portion of an exterior surface of an underwater vehicle and performs CCD processing to compare a baseline SAS image for the underwater vehicle with the received SAR image of the underwater vehicle to generate a CCD output corresponding to a measure of similarity of the baseline SAS image and the received SAS image. The system determines whether there was tampering of the underwater vehicle based on the measure of similarity.

Methods and apparatus for inspecting an underwater vehicle. In embodiments, a system receives a SAR image for at least a portion of an exterior surface of an underwater vehicle and performs CCD processing to compare a baseline SAS image for the underwater vehicle with the received SAR image of the underwater vehicle to generate a CCD output corresponding to a measure of similarity of the baseline SAS image and the received SAS image. The system determines whether there was tampering of the underwater vehicle based on the measure of similarity.

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.