A new all-in-one autonomous mine countermeasure system from US firm Vatn Systems aims to give naval forces a faster, more flexible way to detect and neutralize underwater mines.
Known as SIGURD, the platform is based on the company’s Skelmir S6 autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and comes in two variants that can operate independently or as a coordinated team.
The detection variant uses side-scan sonar to locate mines at depths of up to 100 meters (328 feet), operating over a range of 30 nautical miles (56 kilometers/35 miles) with up to six hours of endurance.
The neutralization variant employs forward-looking sensors for terminal guidance and supports both autonomous and human-in-the-loop engagement modes.
Developed with input from former US Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians, both variants are operated through a Team Awareness Kit-based interface.
“This is what it looks like to build the next underwater defense prime: rapidly configuring a proven platform to meet the most urgent threats operators face today,” the company stated.
Faster Mine Clearance
Naval mines remain one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to disrupt maritime operations, posing persistent risks to naval forces and commercial shipping alike.
Conventional mine countermeasure missions often require specialized vessels and explosive ordnance disposal teams, making them slow, resource-intensive, and expensive.
SIGURD is designed to streamline that process with a portable autonomous system that reduces the time, personnel, and equipment needed to complete each mission.
“Vatn Systems is on a mission to become the next underwater defense prime, and SIGURD is the latest proof that our platform… [meets] the most urgent threats operators face,” said Nelson Mills, co-founder and chief executive officer of Vatn Systems.
“The threat of mine deployment across critical maritime chokepoints has never been more real, and the window to field an affordable, scalable response is now.”
SIGURD has completed testing ahead of its planned deployment later this year.
