The U.S. Navy is increasingly relying on advanced unmanned systems to detect and clear naval mines, marking a significant shift in mine countermeasure operations. Traditionally, the Navy employed Avenger-class minesweepers—vessels constructed with wood and fiberglass hulls designed to operate safely above mines. These have largely been supplanted by steel-hulled littoral combat ships (LCS), which operate outside mined waters and deploy drones and helicopters to conduct mine detection remotely.

Scott Savitz, a senior engineer and RAND professor with experience in the Navy’s mine warfare command, highlights a critical limitation of the LCS: it is unable to enter minefields. Modern naval mines have also evolved in sophistication. Some detect nearby minesweeping equipment and withdraw deeper underwater to evade destruction, while others are equipped with “ship counters” that explode only after a set number of vessels pass, targeting convoys rather than individual ships.

The Navy’s current mine warfare toolkit includes unmanned surface vehicles such as the Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle (CUSV), which can sweep for mines, and the Knifefish underwater drone, equipped with sonar for close-range inspection. However, the identification process remains painstaking. Distinguishing mines from natural sea-floor features and various debris—ranging from rocks to discarded materials—is a major challenge.

To address this, the Navy deploys autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) equipped with side-scan sonar that can map large sections of the seafloor. These torpedo-shaped devices are programmed with search parameters and launched from small boats. They navigate autonomously, scanning for anomalies that could indicate mines. Data collected is consolidated into detailed images for analysis.

If suspicious objects are detected, divers may dispatch remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) that provide real-time video and feature manipulator arms capable of attaching explosive charges to neutralize mines. When necessary, specially trained explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) divers conduct direct interventions. These technicians use equipment designed to minimize noise, bubbles, and magnetic signatures to avoid triggering influence-fired mines—which detect magnetic, seismic, pressure, and acoustic signatures—and pose one of the greatest hazards. In such cases, EOD divers sometimes work alone without tethers to reduce risk to other personnel.

Historical precedents underscore these dangers. Following the 1991 Persian Gulf War, Navy divers received Bronze Stars for valor in recognition of the perils faced during clearance of influence-fired bottom mines.

Separately, Pentagon officials confirmed on Monday that the fate of more than 50,000 U.S. troops assigned to the Iran mission remains unresolved following a recent diplomatic agreement intended to ease tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Forces, including two aircraft carriers and numerous fighter jets in the Middle East, are on alert amid continued uncertainty. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth affirmed that military readiness would be maintained “as long as necessary,” with the potential for troop redeployments contingent on the durability of the agreement. The situation remains fluid as U.S. officials continue to assess regional dynamics.