Page 250 - NAVAL SCIENCE 3 TEXTBOOK

256 NAVAL SKILLS

One of several models of newly developed autonomous undef'\'1ater vehicles (AUVs) that can hunt for submerged mines.

destroying them wilh explosive charges. Highly trained personnel
operate devices called ordnilnce locators to find the mines; there is
a small version of this equipment that can be carried by a diver.
In recent years several experimental versions of self-propelled
nlltoIlO//IOIIS lI1Jderll'nter vehicles (AUVs) have been developed that
can be programmed to setlrch for mines automtltically after being
Imlllched by <1 mine-hunter vessel. They resemble long torpedoes,
but tlre fitted with electronic mine detection gear tlnd follow search
tracks beneath the water. Some have selt~contained (SINS) guid-
<1nce systems that usc GPS to determine their position. Sea test-
ing of several models has been conducted and may result in their
becoming operationtll over the next several rears.
ror many years there has been an ongoing effort to lise trained
dolphins to search for mines and enemy swimmers as part of the
Navy Marine lvlammals Program. They work with human handlers
in much the same Wily as police dogs do on land. Dolphins from
the program were used in the Persian Gulf in both Operations
Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, and periormed well. There are
clirrently some se\renty-five dolphins in the program at Nav)' bases
on the Gulf and 'Vest Coasts.

A Navy Marine Mammal Program dolphin named Kdog doing mine-
hunting work in the Persian Gulf during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The dolphins in the prog(am are trained to report back to their han-
dlers if they detect a mine or a swimmer.