MINE WARFARE (MIW)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Recognize the parameters affecting MIW operations. Identify the various mine hunting sonars. Be familiar with the procedures for obtaining MIW support products.

MIW is the strategic and tactical use of sea mines and their countermeasures. MIW may be offensive (mining to interfere with enemy ship movement) or defensive (mining to defend friendly waters [mine-countermeasures]) in nature. Mine warfare is almost always conducted in nearshore areas that present special environmental conditions not usually encountered in open ocean areas, including:

. Sound speed that is highly dependent upon salinity. Although salinity may be treated as constant for open ocean areas, fresh water runoff creates strong salinity gradients in nearshore areas.

. Ambient noise that is higher than normal.

. Biologic activity levels and diversity that are higher.

. Nearshore areas that typically have a high level of nonmilitary activity.

. Land runoff that generates much more turbidity than for open ocean areas.

MINE WARFARE ENVIRONMENTAL SUPPORT

MIW planning (mining and mine countermeasures) requires a considerable environmental input. The following parameters should be considered for discussion in any MIW environmental support package:

Figure 9-17.-An example of a satellite IR image obtained by the TIROS-N.

Biologic activity

Wave activity

This information is now available on CD in Adobe PDF Printable Format

Privacy Statement - Press Release - Copyright Information. - Contact Us - Support Integrated Publishing