Seafuture 2023: L3Harris unveils Hunterwater minesweeping system and its USV.

At Seafuture 2023, a premier international event showcasing the latest in naval and maritime technology, the Hunterwater™ minesweeping system from L3Harris attracted significant attention.

Hunterwater minesweeping system and its USV at Seafuture 2023. (Picture source: Navy Recognition)

HUNTERWATER™ is a cutting-edge system designed for unmanned minehunting. Developed by L3Harris, it represents a significant advancement in mine countermeasures (MCM) by providing an all-in-one search, identification, and automatic neutralization solution for underwater mine threats.

The system's primary components include a remotely operated vehicle and sidescan sonar module (ROVSCAN) and a disposable compact acoustic guided vehicle (VGA).

The ROVSCAN module carries out site surveys, identifies potential threats, and performs precise acoustic localization (PAL) of threats. It also deploys multiple markers for mine neutralization.

This hybrid vehicle integrates the typical functions of an ROV with those of a sidescan sonar. Its key features include storage for four acoustic markers, laser-pointers for target-precise positioning, a multibeam imaging sonar, and an HD camera.

The VGA, on the other hand, is designed to autonomously perform the countermine mission through direct target reacquisition. It's a low-cost, disposable vehicle, making it a practical choice for mine countermeasures.

The Hunterwater system's modularity and compatibility with other USV systems and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) provide added flexibility. Notably, it can be used for multiple parallel search and identification operations. It is also transportable via a single 40-feet ISO container for a complete minehunting USV system, providing significant logistical advantages.