Saab to upgrade mine disposal vehicles for Swedish Navy

Saab has received an order from FMV, the Swedish Defence Material Administration, for a midlife upgrade of Double Eagle MkI mine disposal vehicle systems to Double Eagle MkII status.

The order comprises five Double Eagle Mk mine disposal vehicles for the Koster class minehunters, additional upgrade of the onboard systems, training, documentation and optional support program.

“The Swedish Navy once again relies on the Double Eagle system for mine disposal and mine hunting, says Lars Tossman, Managing Director of Saab Underwater Systems. “This assignment testifies to the long term success and solid operational record of the Double Eagle system in the Swedish Navy. Through the upgrade, the system will achieve an even greater potential by offering a combination of reliability, mission readiness and superior performance.”

The Royal Swedish Navy presently operates Double Eagle MkI as mine disposal vehicles for the Koster class ships and Double Eagle MkIII Propelled Variable Depth Sonar (PVDS) mine hunting vehicles for the Visby class and Koster class ships.

Mr. Tossman continues “The Double Eagle system has been successful in all major MCM ROV acquisition programmes worldwide, and is the first choice for any modern MCM fleet. By further enhancing the Double Eagle family, introducing the Hybrid AUV/ROV Double Eagle SAROV we will strengthen this position.”

The Double Eagle is a highly modular system used by many navies around the world, on many types of ships. The system is available in three basic versions:
Mine Disposal, Mine Hunting, and Hybrid AUV/ROV. In mine disposal configuration, the ROV is fitted with a relocation sonar and a mine disposal charge. The precise maneuvering allows the ROV to place a mine disposal charge very close to the mine. In mine hunting configuration, the system is equipped with a mine hunting sonar and operated in a “dog on a leash” mode providing enhanced safety to your own ship during mine hunting. The Double Eagle SAROV is a Hybrid AUV/ROV that can release and dock to the tether cable under water during an operation, allowing the same vehicle to be used both as an AUV and as a ROV.