Biggest U.S Mine Warfare Vessel

The Avengers-class mine countermeasures ships are the biggest U.S Mine Warfare Vessels, built by Peterson Shipbuilders and Marinette Marine for the U.S. Navy between 1987 and 1994.

They were designed to be sturdy and clear dangerous mines from crucial waterways.

This class, which consisted of a total of 14 ships, of which 8 are still active, is slowly being replaced by the Freedom and Independence-class of Littoral Combat Ships and other MCM platforms that can easily destroy naval mines from a distance, using their air and surface capabilities.

The ships are 68.28 m long and 11.89 m wide with a 4.6 m draft and a displacement of 1312 tonnes.

They have a speed of 14 knots and a complement of 8 officers and 76 enlisted.

Their armament consists of a Mine neutralisation system, two .50 calibre machine guns, two M60.7 62 mm machine guns and two MK19 grenade launchers.

The U.S. Navy began developing the mine countermeasures fleet in the 1980s, which included 2 new classes of ships and minesweeping helicopters.

The importance of the mine countermeasures force was felt during the Iran-Iraq War, Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990 and 1991, when Avenger and Guardian Ships conducted MCM operations.

The Avenger class was designed as mine sweepers capable of finding, classifying and destroying moored and bottom mines. The last 3 MCM ships were bought in 1990.

They use sonar and video systems, cable cutters and a mine detonating device which can be released and detonated by a remote control system. They can also conduct conventional sweeping operations.

They are the first large mine countermeasure ships built in the U.S in around 27 years.

Their hulls are made of wood with an external coating of fibreglass. The wood is oak, Nootka Cypress and Douglass Fir. This has been used because it offers strength along with flexibility and less weight, allowing the hull to withstand a blast from a mine while giving the ship a low magnetic signature.

The biggest U.S. mine warfare vessels use the AN/SLQ-48 remotely operated mine disposal system and the EX116 Mod 0 remotely operated vehicle (ROV) mine neutralisation system.

The former deals with moored mines and mines resting on the seabed. The vehicle uses high-frequency and resolution sonar, cable cutters, and explosive charges to dispose of mines, while remaining tethered to the vessel by a 1,070 m cable.

The ships also have the AN/SQQ-32 advanced minehunting and classification sonar and Thales Underwater Systems.

There are two sonars in a tiny submersible pod towed under the ship. The submersible is kept in a trunk below the ship’s deck when not deployed.

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