Magnetics Business & Technology - January/February 2022 - 30

VISIONS
Focused on New Strategies, Navy Wants HTS Magnet System for Autonomous Mine Detection
Unmanned surface vehicle developed by Textron for US Navy
In concert with a new strategy for autonomous technologies,
the US Navy is launching a research project to develop a
system based on a high-temperature superconducting (HTS)
magnetic source with an advanced acoustic generator to
detect underwater magnetic influence mines. The Office of
Naval Research expects to award one to three contracts priced
between $12 to $20 million by May 2022 in its Magnetic &
Acoustic Generation Next Unmanned Superconducting Sweep
(MAGNUSS) program.
The Navy has been moving the mine countermeasure mission
from traditional legacy systems to a suite of mission modules
on its Littoral Combat Ship for coastal deployment, the ONR
explained. One of those modules is the MCM unmanned surface
vessel which will be used to carry the MAGNUSS system.
The program fits into a broad effort by the Navy to develop
more agile, autonomous and intelligent technologies.
Chief of Naval Research Rear
Admiral Lorin Selby
" Our time to innovate is now, "
declared Chief of Naval
Research Rear Admiral Lorin
Selby in November of 2021 as
he introduced a new vision for
future naval power-one based
on faster development of unmanned,
autonomous systems,
vibrant partnerships with industry
and academia, and reimagined
naval formations.
" I think this decade, the 2020s, will have special significance
for our nation and our role in leading the world, " Selby told
a nationwide audience during the HACKtheMACHINE Un30
Magnetics Business & Technology * January/February 2022
manned event. " What can we do today that can deliver measurable
results in two years, that leads to deployed capabilities
at scale in five years, to fully realize that reimagined future? "
A critical important component of future naval success, he
said, is incorporating advanced cyberphysical technologies
found in " the small, the agile, and the many " -small unmanned,
autonomous platforms that have the agility to be built and
adapted quickly, in large numbers, and at far lower costs compared
to larger platforms. These unmanned air, surface and
subsurface vehicles will carry an array of sensors and modern
payloads, and perform multiple missions.
In the MAGNUSS program, the advantage of using an HTS
magnet is the ability of the HTS material to run at very-high
electrical currents with near-zero resistance. The high-ampacity
of the HTS magnet generates a magnetic dipole moment
with suitable performance to effectively sweep magnetic influence
mines when coupled to an acoustic generator.
The modularity of the HTS magnet and acoustic generator has
the advantage of being deployed on any craft of opportunity
though the intended craft for the project is the Mine Countermeasures
Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MCM-USV), which is
the current host craft for the undersea influence mine sweeping
payload. First will come prototype development of the integrated
system, then progression to sea trials, likely to be held at
the Navy's South Florida Ocean Measurement Facility located
in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
For more info, www.onr.navy.mil
www.MagneticsMag.com
http://www.orn.navy.mil http://www.MagneticsMag.com
Magnetics Business & Technology - January/February 2022

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