Method and apparatus for neutralization of mines and obstacles

An apparatus for generating underwater pressure waves, comprising:

• a main body;
• a plurality of firing tubes located within said main body, wherein each of said firing tubes has a combustion chamber that is adapted to be submerged to allow water to enter the combustion chamber through the firing tube;
• means for supplying an aluminum fuel to at least one of the combustion chambers;
• and
• means for igniting the aluminum fuel within the one combustion chamber,
• wherein the aluminum fuel mixes with the water in the combustion chamber before igniting the aluminum fuel, and
• wherein the aluminum fuel and water burn instead of exploding when the aluminum fuel is ignited to generate prolonged pulses of pressure through the firing tube.

A method of generating underwater pressure waves, comprising the steps of:

• submerging a main body having at least one firing tube with a combustion chamber to allow water to enter the combustion chamber through the firing tube in a body of water;
• supplying an aluminum fuel to the combustion chamber;
• and
• igniting the aluminum fuel in the combustion chambers in the presence of water,
• wherein the aluminum fuel mixes with the water in the combustion chamber before igniting the aluminum fuel, and
• wherein the aluminum fuel and water burn instead of exploding when the aluminum fuel ignited to generate prolonged pulses of pressure through the firing tube.