The US Navy has revealed that it is to modify its Quickstrike naval mines so
that they can disable enemy mines (USP 5 661 258) and clear a safe passage for
its ships. The Quickstrike is currently dropped from a fighter. Air pressure as
it falls and impact with the water arm the warhead, and the mine explodes when a
ship’s metal hull approaches. But the Navy will change the trigger so that it
responds only to a pulsed magnetic signal.
If a ship suspects enemy mines lie ahead, aircraft will blanket the area with
modified Quickstrikes and then transmit the particular coded magnetic signal.
All the US mines explode simultaneously, creating a shock wave which should
destroy the enemy mines.
