Navy to 'Mainstream' Mine Warfare Within Five Years.

• Author: Erwin, Sandra I.

The U.S. Navy is moving forward with plans to deploy modern anti-mine systems aboard ships and helicopters. During the past decade, the Navy has invested nearly $2 billion in research and development for mine countermeasures.

But even though Navy officials said they are optimistic about the progress achieved so far in mine countermeasure programs, they also acknowledge that these projects have less political support than other, higher-profile, naval warfare areas.

The most significant change that will be introduced to the fleet within the next five years is the addition of so-called organic systems that can detect, sweep and neutralize sea mines in both deep and shallow waters. Organic mine countermeasures will reside within each carrier battle group and each amphibious-ready group.

The current capabilities, by contrast, are "dedicated." They consist of specialized ships and helicopters that only perform mine warfare duties. Dedicated mine countermeasures, officials said, are not suited to today's fast-paced military operations. Minesweeping vessels are aging and move too slowly to be able to reach a hot-spot on short notice, assert advocates of organic mine warfare.

Navy officials recognize that, at this time, mine countermeasure programs may not rank as high as other naval warfare systems, because the conflict in land-locked Afghanistan has not challenged the Navy's anti-mine capabilities.

Priorities could change, however, said Rear Adm. Michael Sharp, the Navy's program executive officer for mine and undersea warfare.

Even though the U.S. war against terrorist groups in South Asia does not present threats from sea mines, "that could change" in the foreseeable future, Sharp said during a recent conference on expeditionary warfare sponsored by the National Defense Industrial Association.

Recalling the troubles that U.S. ships experienced with sea mines in Operation Desert Storm, Sharp said, it is not inconceivable that the current conflict against terrorist organizations could expand to the waters of the Persian Gulf. "We don't want our backs turned to the Persian Gulf, because the war could expand," he said. "I worry about that."

Sea mines generally are small and low tech, but "pack a tremendous punch," said Capt. David Grimland, who is in charge of the Navy's organic mine countermeasures program.

A mine does nor necessarily have to strike a ship's hull to sink it, Grimland explained. "Mines are effective because of a phenomenon that...