DAMDIC - Background

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DAMDIC - Design

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DAMDIC has undergone an extensive test programme, and complies with all relevant STANAGs.

12m drop test

Fast cook-off test

Its construction incorporates more safety features than ever seen before in a mine disposal charge, e.g.:

• The charge itself and its fuse mechanism do not contain energy sources which can activate the detonator.

• Negligible magnetic signature.

• The fuse, an out-of-line type of mechanism with a pressure-activated arming mechanism, has two independent locking mechanisms and an independent transport safety device.

• The depth-based arming actuator requires a depth of 6m underwater to overcome spring pressure.

• The arming lock mechanism requires release of the charge from the ROV.

• Once the charge has been released from the ROV, one of the locking mechanisms (a float) also requires free space above the charge in order to release. Release of the float can only take place under water.

• A "weak link", with a breaking strength of less than DAMDIC's weight in water, ensures that it is not possible to accidentally drag the charge across the seabed by the cable.

DAMDIC is only fully armed once it has been placed next to the mine on the seabed and only after its cable has been attached to an energy source, and even at this late stage of operation, it is still possible to safely recover it.

If, for some reason, DAMDIC needs to be recovered from the seabed, a mine diver can easily disarm DAMDIC, using a special disarming tool.  

If the charge is still mounted on the ROV when the decision to abort the mission is made, DAMDIC has at no time been armed and can therefore be taken back to the mother ship at no risk. Since the operation procedures for the DAMDIC system are not dependant on any sort of time limitation, it is even possible to use the charge again either immediately after its recovery, later during the same operation or even during a subsequent operation after a minor maintenance check-up.