Seafox Mine Disposal System Update

HMS Bangor remains involved in on-going trials with the Royal Navy’s new Mine Disposal System, Seafox. 

This is a significant project for the Royal Navy where an advanced concept using the Expendable Mine Disposal Vehicle Principle (EMDV) means that small, unmanned, underwater drones are used for direct disposal of existing and new mine types.  Identical, reusable vehicles are used for inspection, identification and drills although these vehicles do not carry explosive charges.

Seafox has proven to be a very effective system in a growing number of Navies, including the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Belgium and Estonia.  The United Kingdom now continues this programme and will use the technology against both long and short tethered mines, proud ground mines and floating mines. 

The system has proven to be user friendly and Bangor is continually training Ship’s Teams in the Launch, Recovery and Control methods of this new technology.  The system comprises three components; a control console located in the Operations room, a launcher on the crane deck and the Seafox vehicle itself.  The vehicle is very easy to handle, mainly due to its small and specific design measuring only 1.3m long and weighing only 40kg.  Further versatility is also of note in that Seafox can be delivered as a stand-alone or a fully integrated system.

The Royal Navy is working in partnership with Atlas UK and the Ultra Electronics Group.  Additional information on Seafox and its capability can be found at their website www.ultra-scs.com/mds.html