Sea mines & Depth charges
Rheinmetall is specialized in development and manufacturing of advanced underwater weapons from sea mines (from shallow to deep water), to special countermining charges, advanced limpet mines as well as diver scare charges and marine sound signals. All our products are developed, designed and manufactured in-house at RWM Italia and subject to stringent production and quality controls.
The underwater portfolio includes:
Sea mines
Products for combat divers
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Mine disposal charges
Depth charges
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MURENA is a state-of-the-art, multi-influence sea mine, designed to effectively engage a wide range of targets. The mine can be deployed from surface vessels, cargo planes and submarines both from torpedo tubes and mine belts, providing flexible operational support to any defense strategy. The optional cable remote control increases the operational flexibility when harbors, straits or port defense is required. The precision reached in target classification and localization makes MURENA extremely effective against a wide range of target and resistant against mine countermeasures. The mine unique logic offers to the operator an exceptional level of flexibility and versatility in defining the mine programme for the mission. Special features make the mine resistant to possible tampering attempts.
PIOVRA is a smart limpet mine for combat divers, designed to meet the latest operational requirements and the most stringent safety standards. Each PIOVRA is supplied with a wide variety of attachment mechanisms, including magnets, suction plugs, rope with hooks, and a silent nail shooter. These options enable easy attachment to steel, GRP, and wooden targets. The diver has the flexibility to select the ideal combination of attachment mechanisms during mission preparation. The arming delay is factory pre-set, whilst the fire delay is selected by the combat diver. The fire delay can be modified at any time until the operator initiates the arming sequence. PIOVRA can be operated in water or in air. The omni-directional explosive main charge has been successfully tested against double-hull targets. To enhance the damage, up to 6 PIOVRA limpet mines can be linked underwater and detonated simultaneously. Anti tampering features strengthen PIOVRA’s resilience against countermeasures.
MANTA is a multi-influence shallow water sea mine, designed to protect shores, harbors and critical infrastructures against landing crafts, small-mid tonnage vessels and small submarines. The mine provides an outstanding operational versatility and can be laid by surface vessels, helicopters and aircraft. The unique shape, the low target strength and magnetic signature make MANTA very difficult to detect. MANTA is in service with more than 20 navies worldwide and is combat proved with excellent performance. The mine logic is very reliable and based upon a state-of-the-art analysis of the target acoustic and magnetic influences. The optional remote cable control increases the operational flexibility, making MANTA the shallow water mine of choice to protect harbors, straits or ports.
The DC103 Marine Sound Signal (MSS) is a hand launched depth charge used to communicate with submerged vehicles from surface vessels. The design of the DC103 MSS is free from electronics and batteries and is based on a mechanical fuse sensitive to water pressure. This characteristic guarantees safe transportation and handling, even in the presence of strong electromagnetic fields. The DC103 MSS detonates only when the factory pre-set explosion depth has been reached. No accidental activation in air can take place. If required, in case of mission abort, the safety interlocks can be reinstalled to allow re-use of the system for another mission. The DC103 MSS has a sterilization feature that allows safe handling for disposal of the unexploded device, after approximately 6 hrs from the launch in water. The DC103 MSS is delivered in either a A480 ammunition steel box or in a N34 aluminium non-magnetic ammunition box. The DC103 MMS has 10-year shelf life and it is maintenance free.
The DC103 Diver Scare Charge (DSC) is a hand launched depth charge used to protect ships, vessels and strategic locations from enemy divers. The design of the DC103 DSC is free from electronics and batteries and is based on a mechanical fuse sensitive to water pressure. This characteristic guarantees safe transportation and handling, even in the presence of strong electromagnetic fields. The DC103 DSC detonates only when the factory pre-set explosion depth has been reached. No accidental activation in air can take place. If required, in case of mission abort, the safety interlocks can be reinstalled to allow re-use of the system for another mission. The DC103 DSC has a sterilization feature that allows safe handling for disposal of the unexploded device, after approximately 6 hours from the launch in water. The DC103 DSC is provided with a 250 g HE main charge or with a 450 g HE main charge, packaged in either a A480 ammunition steel box or in a N34 aluminium non-magnetic ammunition box. The DC103 DSC has 10-year shelf life and it is maintenance free.
