Accession Number:

ADA374082

Title:

Assessment of Shallow Water Influence Minesweeping System (SWIMS) Implementation Utilizing CH-60

Descriptive Note:

Master's thesis

Corporate Author:

NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA

Personal Author(s):

• Edwards, James K.

Report Date:

1999-12-01

Pagination or Media Count:

113.0

Abstract:

The Sikorsky H-60 airframe is planned to be the only rotary wing aircraft in the Navys inventory through 2015. The CH-60 variant will support the Airborne Mine Countermeasures AMCM mission, replacing the current MH-53E and its MK-106 towed influence system. The CH-60s towing capacity will be significantly less than the MH-53E, so new equipment, designated the Shallow Water Influence Mine Sweeping SWIMS system. Capability of SWIMS is expected to be significantly less than that of the MK-106 system. Smaller size and aircraft commonality will enable SWIMS to deploy on most surface combatants, providing forward presence and reducing employment time of an AMCM suite into a Mine Danger Area MDA. The purpose of this study is to analyze the feasibility of, and the trade off possibilities for, different types of AMCM operations using the CH-60 and SWIMS system. Given the planned limited capabilities of the CH-60SWIMS system relative to the MH-53EMK-106 system, we explore methods for determining 1 how to operate CH-60SWIMS using proposed new employment methods, 2 how many CH-60s will be required to clear a specified MDA, and 3 how to minimize the operational impact to the ships involved.

Descriptors:

• *MINESWEEPING
• *HELICOPTERS
• *UNDERWATER MINES
• *INFLUENCE MINES
• STANDOFF
• THESES
• SHALLOW WATER
• FLIGHT MANEUVERS
• COUNTERMINING

Subject Categories:

• Aircraft
• Underwater Ordnance

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE