Autonomous mine neutralization system

A method for commanding an underwater vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• I) providing an underwater vehicle command and locating system comprising:
• a) a motorized underwater vehicle comprising a guidance control component;
• b) a vehicle positioning system attached to the vehicle via a communications cable;
• and
• c) a buoyant surface unit comprising:
• i) a protective housing surrounding an interior chamber;
• ii) a positive buoyancy buoy attached to the housing;
• iii) an antenna system attached to the housing;
• and
• iv) a radio transmitter and receiver system positioned within the chamber, which radio transmitter and receiver system is electrically attached to the vehicle positioning system and the antenna system;
• II) deploying the underwater vehicle command and locating system into a body of water;
• III) determining the location of the underwater vehicle within the body of water, via the vehicle positioning system;
• IV) receiving data from the underwater vehicle, via the radio transmitter and receiver system, which data enables a user to locate an underwater target;
• V) communicating with the underwater vehicle to thereby direct the underwater vehicle toward the underwater target;
• and
• VI) destroying the underwater target.

An underwater mine detection assembly which comprises:

• a) a motorized underwater vehicle comprising a guidance control component;
• b) an acoustic vehicle positioning system attached to the vehicle via a communications cable;
• and
• c) a buoyant surface unit comprising:
• vi) a protective housing surrounding an interior chamber;
• vii) a positive buoyancy buoy attached to the housing;
• viii) an antenna system attached to the housing;
• ix) a radio transmitter and receiver system positioned within the chamber, which radio transmitter and receiver system is electrically attached to the vehicle positioning system and the antenna system;
• x) a battery within the interior chamber of the surface unit, which battery is attached to the vehicle positioning system, and the radio transmitter and receiver system;
• and
• vi) parachute compartment within the interior chamber of the surface unit, which parachute compartment contains a deployable parachute.