mine countermeasures Archives

Navy to use underwater drones to help clear Iranian mines from Strait of Hormuz

In a social media post Saturday, U.S. Central Command announced that underwater drones will join the mine clearance effort.

Apr 11, 2026 By Jon Harper

PHILLIPPINE SEA (March 25, 2022) — Sailors assigned to the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) and the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21 prepare an MQ-8B Fire Scout for takeoff. (U.S. Navy photo by Mineman 1st Class Philip Dalton)

USS Charleston’s maiden deployment supported drone flights, mine countermeasure training

The Navy’s Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) completed its 26-month maiden deployment, which involved multiple "first-time" achievements for the sea service.

Jun 22, 2023 By Brandi Vincent

A Mine Countermeasure Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MCM USV) is recovered onboard USS Manchester (LCS 14) during Unmanned Influence Sweep System initial operational test and evaluation, June 2021. (Navy photo)

Navy’s robotics-enabled mine countermeasures mission package achieves initial operational capability

The MCM MP includes an integrated suite of unmanned maritime systems and sensors.

May 2, 2023 By Jon Harper