The U.S. Navy's AN/SLQ-48 Mine Neutralization System (MNS) proved its superior capabilities in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm. During mine-clearing operations, MNS vehicles completed 127 missions -- successfully reacquiring mines with no inadvertent detonations. In addition, the MNS has consistently performed better than other systems in combined fleet exercises.

Today's mine threat is more serious than ever. Only mine-hunting ships enhanced with fully capable, remotely operated mine neutralization vehicles can keep harbors and sea lanes clear of bottom and moored mines with new, intelligent, multi-sensor fusing. The superior maneuverability of the MNS allows its operators to perform in high tidal currents. An experienced MNS team, using the vehicle's TV and sonar, can rapidly locate, classify and neutralize all mine types. Only the AN/SLQ-48 MNS vehicle has:

• An advanced, intensified CCD TV camera and high-resolution sonar that allow the vehicle to work in low-light levels and highly turbid water conditions
• A built-in acoustic tracking system that means the vehicle does not need to be tracked by the ship's sonar
• A powered, neutrally buoyant, constant-tension umbilical cable that allows unlimited mission duration while minimizing risk of entanglement with obstacles in the water or on the seabed

These characteristics provide unmatched performance and life-cycle cost:

Operational Sequence
Once a potential target is found by the mine-hunter vessel's search sonar, the mine neutralization vehicle (MNV) is launched from the ship with either the ship's on-board crane or an MNS-supplied vehicle-handling system. After a subsurface release of the vehicle from the saddle, the vehicle's pilot uses the control console joysticks, indicators and displays to guide the vehicle.

After positive identification is made, the pilot can attach an explosive cutter to the mooring cable of a moored mine or drop a destructor near a bottom mine. After deploying the ordnance, the vehicle is recovered and the ordnance is triggered by an acoustic signal.

The Only Choice of the U.S. Navy
A total of 28 full systems and 57 vehicles have been delivered to the U.S. Navy. The AN/SLQ-48 MNS is installed on all U.S. Navy MCM Avenger class and MHC Osprey class mine hunters. No other mine neutralization system can match the combat-proven AN/SLQ-48 MNS, particularly for deep- or fast-water missions. Now navies around the world can acquire the world's hardest-working, most formidable, mine neutralization vehicle.

Unique Capability and Experience
With the MNS come the skills and experience of a unique production, design, test and logistics-support organization. For more than 25 years, Raytheon has developed, produced and advanced MCM technology.