British unmanned submersibles for Ukraine
Great Britain actively helps Ukraine and regularly transfers certain weapons and equipment to it. Recently it became known that the British Navy will allocate several unmanned underwater vehicles with hydroacoustic equipment on board as assistance, and will also train Ukrainian operators. It is alleged that with the help of such equipment, Ukraine will be able to search for and destroy sea mines in the Black Sea.
Another help
The British Ministry of Defense officially announced the planned transfer of underwater vehicles on August 27. In a press release, it habitually and predictably accused Russia of mining the Black Sea, of blocking ports, of using grain as weapons, obstructing the implementation of a grain deal, etc. In this regard, the British Ministry of Defense intends to once again help the Kyiv regime by providing it with funds to correct the current situation.
It is reported that submarines will be handed over to Ukraine Drones anti-mine purpose. The type of this technique has not yet been specified. At the same time, it is mentioned that we are talking about light-class devices capable of operating at a depth of up to 100 m. They carry a set of observation and detection tools, with which they must detect and recognize mines.
Six submersibles will be allocated as assistance. Half will be taken in the relevant divisions of the CVMF, and the rest will be ordered from the manufacturing company. The executing company, the cost of the future order and the timing of its execution are not named.
The UK will train several dozen Ukrainian operators to operate the new equipment. At the same time, specialists from the 6th fleet US Navy. The training course lasts only three weeks. During this time, the future operator must master the materiel, learn how to work with hydroacoustic systems, etc. There are also planned outings to the sea to search for training targets. All operators are expected to be trained over the next few months.
Together with underwater vehicles, they plan to transfer minesweepers of the Sandown type. The Ukrainian crews of these ships have already begun training. In the future, they will have to move to the Black Sea.
Thus, within a few months, the Kyiv regime will have at its disposal a whole range of mine countermeasures. According to official data, ships and submersibles will be used to ensure navigation. How they will be applied in reality - it will become clear later.
Suggested Sample
The British Ministry of Defense did not say what kind of underwater vehicle will be transferred to Ukraine. However, some of its features are named, according to which a specific type can be established. So, it is mentioned that this unmanned complex is in service with the CVMF and belongs to the light class. It carries sonar equipment, can search for mines and operate at depths up to 100 m.
Apparently, we are talking about an unmanned underwater vehicle REMUS 100 (Remote Environmental Measuring Units 100 m). The first version of this complex appeared at the beginning of the XNUMXs by the Norwegian company Hydroid, which is part of Kongsberg Maritime. The latter was responsible for the development of the underwater platform, and the onboard equipment complex was created at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
REMUS products of various types. In the foreground - REMUS 100
REMUS 100 is part of the family of unmanned systems. Together with him, they developed larger and heavier REMUS 300, REMUS 600, etc. They are able to carry heavier equipment with enhanced performance and operate at increased depths.
The first customer for the REMUS 100 was the US Navy. Already in 2003, such drones participated in a real operation for the first time. While preparing for the offensive against Iraq, they worked in the Persian Gulf and looked for sea mines. In the future, REMUS 100 was purchased by other countries. In particular, since 2006, the CVMF of Great Britain has been using such equipment. At the beginning of the tenth years, these complexes underwent modernization aimed at improving performance.
"Remote Measurement Tool"
REMUS 100 is a miniature submarine with a cylindrical hull and protruding planes. The length of such a product is only 1,6 m, the case diameter is 190 mm. Depending on the configuration, the weight can reach 37-38 kg. The device and other components of the complex are transported in a pair of containers on any suitable transport.
The underwater drone is fully electric. The running electric motor, control systems and target equipment receive electricity from a lithium-ion battery. The maximum speed reaches 5 knots; REMUS 100 moves on it for at least 8 hours. The economic speed of 3 knots increases the duration of the exit to 10-12 hours. The design of the device ensures operation at depths up to 100 m.
A control system is used with the ability to work on operator commands or independently perform certain tasks. The main means of navigation is an inertial system with a set of sensors and a computer. In the surface position, the GPS system can be used. In automatic mode, the device is able to pass a given route and use the target equipment.
REMUS 100 with non-standard special equipment housing
Several means of communication are provided. On the shore, in preparation for going to sea, it is possible to use cables or Wi-Fi. In the surface position, wireless channels are used, incl. satellite. Under water, acoustic means of data transmission are switched on.
REMUS 100 can carry different target equipment. The main type of load are side-scan hydroacoustic stations. The collected data can be written to an internal storage device or, if possible, transmitted to the operator. The software of the complex makes it possible to compile three-dimensional maps of water areas and mark various objects on them, including sea mines.
The REMUS 100 complex differs from other similar systems in its relative simplicity and low cost. This allows you to simultaneously use several underwater vehicles in the same area and collect more data faster, leveling the limited characteristics of each of the drones.
Goals and objectives
The unmanned vehicle REMUS 100, equipped with sonar equipment, is capable of monitoring, surveillance and reconnaissance. These are the tasks to be solved by the devices that the UK is going to transfer to Ukraine. At the same time, both the possible prerequisites for such a step and its consequences are of interest.
Apparently, the real goals of the transfer of minesweepers and underwater vehicles are fully consistent with the declared ones, and they really have to search for and destroy mines in the Black Sea. Recall that back in February-March, Ukrainian formations mined several coastal waters. Now these minefields threaten merchant shipping, in particular the export of Ukrainian grain to third countries.
In order to avoid problems with food, the UK and other countries are ready to help clear the Black Sea and clear trade routes as soon as possible. Even if for this it is necessary to transfer ships or complex unmanned equipment.
It should be noted that underwater vehicles can not only search for mines, but also conduct reconnaissance. However, REMUS 100 cannot fully solve such tasks. First of all, it is hindered by limited driving characteristics. A cruising range of no more than 30-40 miles does not allow organizing reconnaissance missions without the risk of premature detection of an apparatus or carrier vessel.
In theory, REMUS 100 or similar devices can be used for sabotage - in this case, the target equipment is replaced by a warhead. But in this case, the question of expediency is added to the problem of range. An underwater drone is too expensive to be sent "one way". Of course, if the operator considers their costs.
Uncharacteristic episode
As you can see, the UK is once again preparing to help Ukraine with the supply of military equipment and the training of operators for it. However, this time it is not about weapons and combat vehicles, but about means of combating sea mines. And it seems that the unmanned complexes planned for transfer will solve only such tasks.
Due to Ukrainian mines in the Black Sea, foreign countries, incl. The UK may face problems in the food supply line - and measures must be taken to eliminate them. Such measures will be British minesweepers, underwater vehicles, which will have to ensure the export of grain. At the same time, all activities to combat mines will be carried out by Ukrainian sailors. They have to work hard and take risks so that foreign partners get the desired grain.
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