Mines in the Surf Zone: A Proposed Breaching Concept

Abstract

This thesis addresses the threat that mines in the surf zone (ten foot curve to the high water mark) pose to Operational Maneuver From The Sea. Additionally, problems presented by minefields beginning at the high water mark and extending inland are reviewed. Effectiveness of notional minefields consisting of tilt rod and pressure fused anti-tank mines are modeled as a planar Poisson process. The delivery of the assault echelon (a Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward)) by landing craft is modeled as a simple circular flow process. Three methods for overcoming the minefields are developed and compared using five measures of effectiveness. A decision criteria for breaching a minefield by bulling through is offered. A breaching concept using fuel air explosives and a unique mine rake are presented. The thesis concludes that development of the 'Blast, Rake, Breach' concept should be pursued. Anti-snag plowing system, AAV, LCAC, Surf Zone, VSW.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1994
Accession Number
ADA285184

Entities

People

  • Matthew M. Aylward
  • Willard H. Wattenburg

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Sensors
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amphibious Operations
  • Anti-Tank Mines
  • Explosions
  • Explosives
  • Fuel Air Explosives
  • Intelligence Collection
  • Landing Craft
  • Littoral Warfare
  • Marine Corps
  • Measures Of Effectiveness
  • Military Operations
  • Military Organizations
  • Minefields
  • Operations Research
  • United States
  • United States Naval Academy
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.
  • Seismology