CHAPTER 11
COMBINATION MINESWEEPING
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Upon completing this chapter, you should be able to do the following:
1. Describe the purpose of combination minesweeping.
2. Recall the three groups of combination sweeps.
3. Recall the different configurations of combination minesweeping.
INTRODUCTION
TYPES OF COMBINATION
SWEEPS
In previous chapters, we discussed minesweeping
sweeps used to clear acoustic and magnetic influence
Combination sweeps are subdivided into three
mines. A third type of influence mine, which we did not
groups: FA2, FA2A, andcombinationmagnetic sweeps
discuss, is the pressure mine. Some mines are designed
as follows:
to be set off by a combination of these types of influence
Group 1: FA2 combination sweep consists of the
(magnetic-acoustic, pressure-acoustic, and magnetic-
M Mk 6(a) open-loop magnetic sweep with either a TB-
pressure). Therefore, a sweep was developed to counter
26 or TB-27 acoustic device.
all of these types (except pressure influence) in the same
pass. At present, there is no minesweeping device that
Group 2: FA2A combination sweep consists of the
can simulate a ship's pressure signature.
M Mk 6(b) closed-loop magnetic sweep with either a
TB-26 or TB-27 acoustic device.
This chapter illustrates numerous combination
sweeps that are available. Combination minesweeping
Group 3: Combination magnetic sweeps consists
is used to detonate influence mines or cause their
of the M Mk 5(a), M Mk 6(a), or M Mk 6(h) with an
detecting devices to register a ship count as the sweep
acoustic device towed astern.
passes near them. The most effective combination
The various combination sweeps and their
sweeping is achieved when two types of gear are
associated equipment are listed in table 11-1 and
streamed from the same ship, superimposing the
illustrated in figures 11-1 through 11-10.
influence fields.
11-1