Five of the ten minehunters of the Frankenthal class (MJ332) will be equipped with the most modern version of the IMCMS (Integrated Mine Countermeasures System) command and weapon deployment system between 2022 and 2025. The other five boats are already equipped with the IMCMS. Following parliamentary approval of the budget on July 9, 2021, the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) commissioned Atlas Elektronik to deliver and install the systems.
The main task of minehunters is to search for and destroy sea mines. They also serve as a basis for the deployment of mine divers. For this purpose, they are equipped with sensors such as underwater sonar and unmanned underwater vehicles (sea fox, sometimes seal). The latter enable the reliable detection of objects at close range and the destruction of mines.
The IMCMS presents all tactical and navigation data for mine warfare as well as the reconnaissance results and enables the control of the subsystems (sonar, autonomous underwater vehicles, mine destruction vehicle). This allows mine warfare missions to be prepared, carried out and followed up.
“By converting a further five boats to the latest generation IMCMS, we are taking the next step towards standardizing the technology for sea mine action on mine hunting boats as well as the cross-sectional use of the IMCMS training and testing system,” said the responsible project manager at the Federal Office of Equipment, Information technology and use of the Bundeswehr.
Gerhard Heiming
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