Airborne MCM

The Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) Program Element (PE 0604373N) is a Navy research, development, test, and evaluation initiative focused on advancing mine countermeasures capabilities for maritime operations. The primary goal of this program is to enhance the Navy's ability to detect, classify, identify, and neutralize underwater mines, thereby ensuring safe passage for military and commercial vessels in strategic maritime environments. The program supports the development and deployment of advanced mine-sweeping systems, post-mission analysis software, integrated tactics, and training tools. There is a particular emphasis on rapid response and adaptability in littoral zones, straits, and amphibious objective areas.

Project 4026: Net-Centric Sensor Analysis for Mine Warfare (NSAM) is the largest line item under AMCM, aiming to modernize and unify post-mission analysis (PMA) capabilities for Mine Warfare (MIW) sensor data. NSAM replaces legacy systems such as the Organic Post Mission Analysis (OPMA) and interim PMA for AN/AQS-20C, consolidating all MIW sensor data into a single, collaborative, multi-user environment. The objectives include reducing mission timelines, improving mission effectiveness, and automating complex contact management tasks. NSAM's extensible architecture is designed to facilitate integration of new sensors and advanced algorithms, including artificial intelligence (AI) for automatic target recognition. This is expected to decrease the cognitive burden on operators and accelerate decision-making.

Within NSAM, the Integrated Tactics project develops and refines mine warfare tactics at both the staff and scenario levels. This effort involves annual conferences to gather and prioritize Fleet requirements, ongoing analysis and updates to tactics, and the documentation and publication of new doctrine for Fleet users. The project also supports training for MIW Staffs, ensuring that the latest tactical theories and operational procedures are disseminated throughout the Navy. By continually updating tactics and training, the Integrated Tactics project aims to keep pace with evolving threats and operational environments.

Project 9179: Surface Navy Integrated Undersea Tactical Technology (SNIUTT) is a software-based training tool designed to maintain and enhance contact recognition proficiency for operators of Mine Countermeasures (MCM) sensor systems. SNIUTT provides customized training modules for systems such as AN/AQS-24, AN/AQS-20C, and ALMDS, focusing on the detection, classification, and identification of mine-like contacts. The modules are tailored to Fleet-user needs and are used both in classroom settings and at operational squadrons, ensuring that perishable skills are regularly refreshed and reinforced.

For both NSAM and SNIUTT, the program includes ongoing product development, engineering support, test and evaluation, and management oversight. NSAM's development in FY 2025-2026 includes software upgrades for PMA visual guides, environmental analysis, and integration of AI algorithms. SNIUTT's planned activities involve incremental software releases to support new sensor components and instructor features, as well as continuous configuration management and testing to ensure reliability and effectiveness. These efforts are executed primarily by government-led teams at Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) and Naval Research Laboratory-Stennis Space Center (NRL-SSC), with contractor support as needed.

The justification for these investments centers on the need to transform the Navy's mine countermeasures force from a platform-centric legacy system to a capability-centered, distributed, and networked force. Improvements targeted by the AMCM program include reducing post-mission analysis time, accelerating detect-to-engage cycles, enhancing network communications, and automating target recognition. These advancements are critical for maintaining maritime security, ensuring freedom of navigation, and supporting humanitarian and disaster response operations. The program also aligns with broader Department of Defense efficiency initiatives, as reflected in recent budget adjustments to promote cost savings and operational effectiveness.