Surface Mine Countermeasures

The Surface Mine Countermeasures (SMCM) Program Element (PE) aims to provide resources for the development of mine countermeasures systems to address known and projected mine threats. The program supports the development and deployment of advanced minehunting and neutralization systems, as well as intelligence and oceanographic capabilities, to ensure mine warfare superiority. The specific objectives include developing unmanned minehunting capabilities for surface platforms, integrating and improving new and existing systems, and supporting systems that detect, localize, classify, identify, and neutralize all mine types across various platforms. Additionally, the program focuses on improving detection capability, reducing false alarm rates, enhancing network communications, automatic target recognition, and achieving in-stride detect-to-engage capability.

The Mine Hunt Systems project within the Surface Mine Countermeasures (SMCM) Program Element is dedicated to enhancing mine detection, classification, localization, identification, and neutralization capabilities. The project's goals include conducting minefield reconnaissance at high area search rates, improving detection capability, decreasing sensor false alarm rates, reducing post-mission analysis time for detection, classification, and identification. Specific efforts involve the development of Automated Target Recognition (ATR) capabilities to improve performance and reduce false calls. The project also focuses on providing ongoing technical support for product development, engineer support for cyber security requirements and obsolescence resolution efforts. Additionally, it aims to conduct test planning for offshore integration and test to verify product development efforts. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to ensure low risk to naval and commercial vessels while removing personnel from the minefield.