NEWTOWN, Conn. -- The United States Navy's Mine and Expeditionary Warfare Applied Research program appears to have narrowed its focus to the detection and neutralization of improvised explosive devices. The deployment of IEDs is nothing new. Such weapons were used in Vietnam and Korea, and it could be argued that they go as far back as the American Civil War. What has changed is the degree to which they have become a primary means of attack on U.S. forces, rather than being used as harassment and interdiction tools. Casualties from these devices reportedly have been responsible for more than 60 percent of American casualties and losses in Afghanistan and Iraq.
From a maritime standpoint, a much greater concern is the vulnerability of the world’s most important shipping lanes. Most of these run through one or more chokepoints easily infested with mines. Quite apart from the material damage that such a mining campaign might cause, it would have an economic impact out of proportion to its cost if it managed to close down a major port for even a few days. Many of the subprojects explored in this program are concerned with combating this menace and economizing on the investments needed to defend against terrorist attacks.
Mine warfare (including the placement of sea mines) is considered the poor man's option (cheap and very effective), and use of this tactical weapon will likely increase in the future. Look for R&D funding for mine countermeasures to fluctuate wildly over the next few years as the U.S. Navy rushes for funds to cover the threat of the moment.
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