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Aminehunter is anaval vessel that seeks, detects, and destroys individualnaval mines.Minesweepers, on the other hand, clear mined areas as a whole, without prior detection of mines. A vessel that combines both of these roles is known as amine countermeasures vessel (MCMV).
A minehunter uses an imagingsonar to detect and classify targets and then sends out divers orremotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to inspect and neutralise the threat, often using smallcharges that are detonated remotely.
As minehunters will often be operating in close proximity to mines, they are designed so as to reduce their ownacoustic andmagnetic signatures,[1][2][3][4] two common forms of trigger for mines. For example, they are oftensoundproofed by mounting machinery onshock absorbers or by using quietelectrical drive,[5]low magnetic electric motors[6] and usually have awood,fiberglass ornon-ferrous metalhull, or aredegaussed to reduce magnetic signature.[7]
Minehunters are generally small,shallow-draught vessels, as they are often called upon to work in enclosed bodies of water such asshipping channels orharbours. As manoeuvrability in such areas is critical theVoith-Schneider cycloidal propulsor is commonly used, allowing the engine thrust to be transmitted in any direction. A number of modern vessels usecatamaran hulls to provide a large, stable working platform with minimal underwater contact; this reduces draught whilst lowering acoustic transmission and reducing thefluid pressure generated by the moving hull that may otherwise detonate mines with a hydraulic pressure trigger.
Coastal minehunters are ships that are designed to find, classify, and destroy moored and bottommines from vital waterways. Coastal minehunters are generally smaller and with lower sea-keeping and endurance than oceangoing minehunters. They are usually tasked with keeping fixed high-valuechoke points clear of mines, such as the approaches to military ports and harbours. In aCold War context it was especially important to protect those ports used by a nation'sballistic missilesubmarines.
Minehunters differ fromminesweepers in that minesweepers are used against oldermagnetic mines that are moored just below the surface. Minehunters are designed to seek out mines and destroy them individually, particularly against more advanced modern mines, which sit on the seabed and can be programmed to target specific vessel types (seeCAPTOR mine). To do this they have mine-huntingsonar and can act as motherships and support craft for ROVs andcombat divers. However, in some circumstances many minehunters can also destroy less advanced magnetic moored mines in the traditional manner.
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