Maritime Mines

The Maritime Mines program, part of the Navy's Weapons Procurement category, is dedicated to enhancing naval mine capabilities for anti-surface ship and anti-submarine warfare. This initiative involves the procurement and development of various mine systems, including the Quickstrike (QS) family, the Clandestine Delivered Mine (CDM), and the Hammerhead Encapsulated Effector. The primary goal is to ensure these systems are ready for service and capable of meeting both current and future operational needs. The program emphasizes incremental improvements to existing technologies, aligning with platform availability to enhance mine delivery capabilities.

The Quickstrike Mine series aims to provide versatile shallow-water mines deployable from aircraft. These mines target both surface and subsurface threats, with variants like the MK 62, MK 63, and MK 65 offering different payload capacities. The program's objectives include procuring hardware components such as Target Detection Devices (TDDs) and Safety and Arming Devices (S&A) to meet inventory goals. Additionally, the Quickstrike-Extended Range (QS-ER) variant is being developed to incorporate GPS-guided flight gear for precision placement from extended ranges, reducing risks to delivery aircraft.

The Encapsulated Effector system is another critical component of the Maritime Mines program. It is a moored-torpedo variant designed for deployment by unmanned underwater vehicles or surface vessels. This system utilizes modern sensing technology for accurate targeting over a wide area, maintaining resilience even as weapons are expended. Objectives for FY 2025 include increased procurement of these systems to support deployment requirements, driven by demand signals from strategic commands like INDOPACOM.

The Maritime Mines program seeks to advance naval mine technology through targeted procurement and development efforts. By integrating modern technologies into existing frameworks, it aims to enhance the Navy's capability to conduct effective maritime operations against evolving threats. The focus on modular upgrades and new system developments ensures that these capabilities remain adaptable and responsive to changing operational demands.