Combat Systems Operator - Mine Warfare

Job Details

Other Ranks (Non Technical)

Combat Systems Operator - Mine Warfare 

The use of naval mines and the need for effective mine countermeasures (MCM) is one of the most important aspects of naval operations. Over the past decade the use of mines at sea has significantly increased a sea mine's potential to disrupt commercial and military shipping and has been a prime motivating factor for the rapid development of current mine countermeasure technology. These measures can be either offensive, such as actions aimed at preventing the laying of mines or defensive MCM, which is designed to reduce the threat from sea borne mines after they have been laid.

Major techniques for clearing a mine threat are minehunting and mine sweeping. During minehunting operations various techniques are used to determine the physical location of the mine. Once the mine has been located it can then be exploded, recovered, or avoided. During minesweeping operations the mine's logic is defeated and the mine actuated. Sometimes both techniques are required to clear a minefield of all mines.

The determination of the optimum mix of assets and techniques required for identifying and clearing a minefield is the job of the Mine Warfare professional.

As a Combat Systems Operator Mine Warfare (CSO MW) you will be operating cutting edge technology aboard the Navy's Mine Hunter Coastals (MHC). With a crew of only 40 you are assured of being at the heart of the action.

The Huon class mine hunters are some of the most advanced ships of their type in the world. They are made of fibre reinforced plastic and have a unique single skin solid hull that has no ribs or frames and provides high underwater shock resistance and very low magnetic and noise levels. The hull is designed to flex inwards if an underwater explosion occurs nearby. All machinery and equipment is mounted on cradles or suspended from bulkheads to further enhance resistance to shock damage and protect ship systems.

The mine hunter's principal task is to keep Australia's maritime focal points for trade free from threats of mines. The ship uses high frequency sonar to search for and then identify mine-like objects. Once detected, the ship deploys a remotely controlled mine disposal vehicle or Clearance Divers to identify and, if necessary, neutralise the mine.

When posted as a junior CSO (MW), you will experience life at sea on one of the six MHCs or one of the two Mine Sweeping Auxiliary Large (MSA L). Here you will undertake additional sub-specialist training as a Navigator's Yeoman (NY) or Ship Bourne Lifesaving and Survival (SLSEM), Damage Control Yeoman and Operations Room Yeoman.

Both the MHCs and the MSAs are substantial small ships. The MHC's being 52 metres long and 10 metres in width at 750 tonnes and the MSA's 29 metres long and 10 metres in width at 440 tonnes.

CSO (MW)s can expect a variety of jobs while serving on a MCMVs. The CSO (MW) will operate the Combat Data System on MHCs including sensor equipment such as Mine Hunting Classification/Detection Sonars, be involved in the operation of remotely controlled under water Mine Disposal Vehicles and surface radars. Additionally, CSO (MW) sailors are classified as a Weapons User category and the sailor component of the Action Information Organisation (AIO). As part of the ship's gun crew you will be taught to operate a variety of small arms and the 12.7mm heavy machine gun to a high level of proficiency.

CSO (MW)s are also responsible for the ship's seamanship evolutions including small boat handling and operations, anchor and rope work, berthing, towing and helmsmanship. Additionally CSO (MW)s receive comprehensive training in boarding operations and force protection when MHCs are deployed to border protection duties.

On board MSAs, the CSO (MW) sailor will be one of 11 other personnel in a closely meshed team.  They can be called upon to conduct mine sweeping operations using mechanical or magnetic sweep equipment.  MSAs can also be deployed in a MCM route survey role using side scan sonar to gather seabed profile information very similar to hydrographic work.  As a senior sailor CSO (MW) at the Chief Petty Oficer level qualified in the appropriate navigational skills, there are even opportunities to be Commanding Officer of these vessels.

Ashore the CSO (MW) sailor has the opportunity to serve with the Operations Support Unit, also known as the ‘Sweep Group’.  This unit operates state of the art mine sweeping and hunting equipment in the form of remotely operated drone sweeping boats and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles.  It is a small specialised unit generally working from shore in support and complimentary to the MHCs and MSAs.

After approximately 6 months of basic and initial training as a Seaman CSO (MW), you will become one of just 130 highly skilled sailors who make up the core of the RAN’s modern and very capable Mine Warfare Force.