**2. Concepts of operation establishment of mine countermeasure UUV**

## **2.1. Importance of information, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR)**

The intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aspects of mine warfare are of partic‐ ular importance, since that is where mine warfare really starts, regardless of the specific purposes for using this collected information. As with most complex military operations, mine warfare operations are inherently joint operation between theater forces. The tactical com‐ mands from theater headquarters actually operate the mine warfare forces in theater. The intelligence agencies provide vital ISR information [5], and Marine Corps units must work closely with the navy in any amphibious operations, as well as interface with army mine warfare in addition to other operations ashore. Navy and Coast guard units must work together closely in inshore mine warfare operations to secure good communication.

Battlefield reconnaissance data are essential for both safe far- and near-shore operations. Mine warfare is the strategic, operational and tactical use of sea mines, and the countermeasures to defeat them [6]. Undersea physical characteristics, ocean climate variations and environment are considered before an operation is initiated. Ocean environmental characteristics are very important to determine where mines should be placed and how many and how to deliver the mine to the position. Oceanographic parameters have greatest impact on mine warfare operations and need the most enhanced predictive modeling capabilities for a wide range of oceanic processes. They will greatly enhance the war fighter's ability to turn vast amounts of oceanographic information into knowledge, which is used to control battlefield operations [7]. Major physical oceanographic data for the mine warfare consist of current patterns, salinity, temperature, bottom status and clarity of water of the area [8].

Bathymetry forms the boundary condition for all fluid motions and can extend beyond the local region. Ocean currents are long-time-scale fluid flows arising from a wide variety of processes, such as direct wind forcing and tides. The complexities of forces driving current flow require to work together with meteorological and oceanographic analysis. They also determine how these forces are interacting with each other, understand the time scale of variability driving current flow and understand how this may affect the mission [5].

Mine laying and mine countermeasure operations are parts of the main subsystem of mine warfare operations [6]. Better priority weight should be given to the technical exploitation of threat mines, mine warfare indications and warning (I&W) tasking. There are several points of consideration in mine warfare at the combat zone or landing assault area. Thus, currently, both near-term and long-term mine reconnaissance systems (NMRS and LMRS) are developed to expand organic and dedicated MCM capabilities. The MCM command center should disseminate them at all command levels and provide rules of engagement (ROE) to counter hostile miners and relevant environmental databases, such as the mine warfare environmental decision aids library (MEDAL) and the contingency planning tool [2].
