1. Naval Mine Countermeasures Vision
NDIA 8th Annual Expeditionary Warfare Conference
Naval Mine Countermeasures Vision
MajGen J.R. Battaglini
Director, Expeditionary Warfare Division

2. MCM Vision Key Enablers: MCM VISION: Legacy Platforms
and Systems
Slow
Heavy
Large footprint
Stovepiped
Primarily CONUS-based
Distributed Expeditionary MCM Systems
Fast
Light
Agile
Precise
Lethal
Modular
ORGANIC
Concept of
Operations
Unmanned
Operations
Distributed
and Netted
Cooperative
Behavior
Sea Trial
Experiments
Common Tactical Picture (CTP)
MCM VISION:
Field a Common Set of Unmanned, Modular MCM Systems Employable from a Variety of Host Platforms or Shore Sites that can Quickly Counter the Spectrum of Mines to Enable Assured Access with Minimum Risk from Mines
The vision for future mine countermeasures is to: “field a common set of unmanned, modular MCM systems employable from a variety of host platforms or shore sites that can quickly counter the spectrum of mines to enable assured access with minimum risk from mines.” The two principal goals of this vision are: (1) to accelerate the MCM timelines and, (2) to get the Sailor/Marine out of the minefield.
The desire is to transform from the slow legacy MCM platforms and systems to future MCM forces that are characterized as fast, light, agile, precise, lethal and organic to strike groups. We will have a distributed and networked force; use offboard and unmanned nodes; with persistent surveillance and pervasive sensing and weapons; rapidly delivering precision and volume effects.
Within the FYDP, we expect to reduce the MCM timeline by half, and if S&T systems prove effective, time to complete MCM missions could be further reduced to 90% of the time it now takes to complete the mission.
Key enablers that will assist in bridging the gap from today to the future vision are the development of an overarching MCM Concept of Operations (CONOPS), development of unmanned MCM systems that operate cooperatively in a distributed/netted environment, experimentation of these new systems and concepts through the Sea Trial process, and development of the capability to generate and disseminate a Common Tactical Picture (CTP).
Get the Sailor/Marine
Out of the Minefield
Accelerate MCM
from Weeks/Days to Hours/Minutes

3. MCM Future CONOPS: Tactical View
Unmanned Nodes
Distributed,
Offboard,
Cooperative &
Netted
MCM Capability
ISR/IPB Enabled
Database Mining
Geo-Registration
Sensor Fields
Pattern Recognition
Smart Cueing
BAMS
Overhead
Databased
“Mining tracks”
TUAV
Search Vehicle (LFBB)
ID Vehicle
Neutralizing Vehicle
“Mother” Vehicle
Neutralization Event
Identified Mine
Undetected Mine
Geo-Registration Device
/ Sensor Field
Identified Non-Mine
The future distributed and networked MCM force will feature the use of offboard and unmanned nodes with persistent surveillance and pervasive sensing. MCM weapons will rapidly deliver precision and volume effects.
The future MCM CONOPS is enabled by Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and Intelligence Preparation of the Battle Space (IPB). Using overhead, reconnaissance assets (Broad Area Maritime Surveillance {BAMS} UAVs) and undersea sensors, knowledge of the battle space will be established prior to commencement of hostilities. Sharing distributed, dynamic databases, US forces will be able to pull track history data and use artificial intelligence to correlate information to cue search vehicles.
LCS-based tactical aviation systems (TUAV & MH-60S) prepare the volume for follow-on unmanned systems. The CONOPS will employ multiple unmanned vehicles, operating autonomously and cooperatively, controlled from platforms at a safe standoff from the mine threat. The functions of locating, classifying, identifying, and neutralizing mines will be carried out by a family of UUVs, deployed from a “mother” USV. This USV will host (provide power, download data and link to sensor grid) UUVs that detect, ID, and neutralize mines. Navigation devices will provide precision underwater navigation and geo-registration of the undersea tactical picture with the GPS-enabled surface and air navigation picture.
This vision culminates in providing follow-on forces sufficient maneuver area to execute missions. Technology under development in Science and Technology programs has the potential to reduce the MCM timeline by over 90%.
PIM
Strike
Group
Geo-Registration Grid

4. MCM Force Transformation
Today
FYDP
Future
Dedicated
Dedicated
CONOPS
Dedicated
Common
Vehicles
& Systems
Organic +
Follow-on
Systems
Today’s mine countermeasures force is capable. Platform centered, it is single mission focused, and dedicated to MCM. A strategic capability, most of the Dedicated MCM (DMCM) force is CONUS-based. The MCM triad of airborne, surface and underwater MCM forces will normally support operational plans (OPLANS) via strategic lift into theater to accomplish early MCM objectives. Follow-on force arrival is normally required to accomplish the MCM objectives necessary to transition to offensive operations and conduct post conflict MCM cleanup.
In order to meet evolving threats, increase speed of effort, and be capable of achieving early MCM objectives, we are fielding next generation MCM systems to the operational forces. These Organic MCM (OMCM) systems will be embedded in Strike Groups (SG) and will provide organic MCM capability to operational commanders. Future introduction of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) with a mine warfare (MIW) mission module improves the ability of operational forces to conduct MCM due to greatly increased closure speed and capability.
The DMCM force will continue to be the predominant MCM capability during OMCM introduction. The maturity, growth, and spiral development of OMCM capabilities in concert with the introduction of future MCM platforms such as LCS may provide a sufficiently viable MCM capability such that a reduction in DMCM platforms becomes feasible.
As we look to the future, MCM transformation will continue as new CONOPS and developing capabilities lead to a MCM force composed of a set of common vehicles and systems that are employable from a variety of host platforms. The MCM force transformation will take us from the platform-centered legacy force of today to a “capability-centered” MCM force that is distributed, netted, and cooperative.
Organic
Platform Centered
Capability Centered
Stovepipe/Legacy
Distributed/Netted/Cooperative

5. Roadmap: MCM Transition Spirals
Today
(2003)
Near-Term
(FYDP)
Mid-Term
( )
Far-Term
(>2015)
Platform Centered
FY05 Plan (FY05 - FY09)
MH-53E
Decision
MCM(X)
Decision
Progression of MCM Capabilities
Built Upon Preceding Platforms/Systems
Dedicated MCM Forces
AMCM
Capabilities
Organic MCM Systems
Spiral
Developments
MH-60S
RMS
LMRS
OMCM
The roadmap will consist of a series of gap filling and transformational capabilities and spiral developments of existing capabilities. Beginning with today's forces, the roadmap will incorporate OMCM systems and continue towards achieving platform independent, capability-centered, cooperative, distributed, and netted MCM employable from a variety of host platforms.
The first LCS MIW Mission Module delivers within the FYDP. The MCM capability of the LCS will depend upon the final composition of the mission module that will include a combination of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs). The LCS FLT 0 will include the Remote Minehunting System (RMS) and the five Organic Airborne MCM (OAMCM) systems as part of the initial MIW Mission Module. The Global CONOPS envisions LCS ships in support of both Carrier Strike Groups (CSG) and Expeditionary Strike Groups (ESG). Therefore, an LCS equipped with a MIW Mission Module provides an organic MCM capability to these strike groups.
With the approaching end of service life for the dedicated (DAMCM) aircraft (MH-53E), a decision to replace the aircraft , extend the aircraft’s service life, or allow the service life to terminate is required not later than FY08. As the OAMCM helicopters (MH-60S) and systems are fielded and capabilities mature, the requirement for and viability of the MH-60S as a potential replacement will be assessed.
The MCM-1 Class begins to reach the end of its service life in 2017 and the decision regarding a follow-on MCM platform, MCM(X), is required in the mid-term. In the far-term, as LCS continues to be fielded in greater numbers, squadrons of LCS or “LCS-like” ships with MCM capabilities may become the replacement for the current fleet of dedicated surface MCM platforms.
LCS with MIW Mission Modules
UUV, UAV, USV
Future MCM
Capability Centered