MINE COUNTERMEASURES

Influence Sweeps involve simulating the passage of a ship in order to "fool" the mines into detonating. In this case, a magnetic or acoustic sweep system is towed by a ship. Mines that detect the simulated ship detonate themselves.

A magnetic sweep utilizes a magnetic field to simulate the field created by a passing ship. A magnetic field can be produced via an electrical current passing between two non-insulated cables. This resulting field will induce magnetic mines to detonate.

An acoustic sweep is accomplished by simulating the sounds created by a target ship. Various noise makers utilizing compressed air, explosives, hammers or propellers are towed near acoustic mines to detonate them.