Intermarine's MHC 51 Minehunter Completes Magnetic Signature Trials

In January, the USS Osprey (MHC 51) conducted magnetic signature measurements at the naval base in Charleston where she continues trials, and builder Intermarine USA announced that the stringent U.S. Navy contract requirements had been met.

Mines are continually developed to greater levels of sensitivity, and many anti-ship mines use a ship's magnetic signature as a primary sensing device. Detection of a ship's signature can lead to detonation and the destruction of the ship. Intermarine USA's extensive use of non-magnetic materials in the Osprey is complemented by the DGM4 degaussing system designed and manufactured by Impianti Forniture Elettriche Navali (IFEN) of La Spezia, Italy. IFEN equipment was installed on the Italian Lerici, Malaysian Mahamiru and Nigerian Ohue class mine countermeasure vessels (MCMVs) also built by Intermarine at its shipyard in Italy. IFEN has since developed the multi-control, multi-channel DGM4. The system was required to undergo full First Article Testing in accordance with U.S. military specifications before installation onboard MHC 51, including high-impact shock, vibration and EMI/EMC. In addition to operational and environmental exposure testing, accelerated life testing was conducted to confirm reliability.

Intermarine says the DGM4 features modularity, interchangeability, reliability and maintainability. The system has magnetometer automatic control and computer generation in case of magnetometer failure of the degaussing current-driving signals. The DGM4 is a class standard on the MHC 51 ships, and is also installed on the eight Intermarine Gaeta class MCMVs nearing completion for the Italian Navy, as well as the Norwegian Oskoy class Surface Effect Minehunter/Sweepers.

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