Raytheon tests new sea-mine neutralizer
Raytheon, a subsidiary of RTX, recently conducted a series of environmental tests for its Barracuda Mine Neutralization System at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division.
As noted by the company, the tests involved a production-representative unit and focused on the system’s performance in varying sea states and water currents, simulating real-world ocean conditions.
The Barracuda Mine Neutralization System is a semi-autonomous underwater vehicle designed to detect, track, and neutralize naval mines using advanced sonar and camera systems. During the trials, the system demonstrated its ability to hydrodynamically control itself, maintain position, and engage targets independently — a crucial step forward in its development.
“This event marks a significant milestone in the advancement of underwater security and naval defense,” said Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon. “Barracuda’s performance reaffirms its position as a game-changing solution for identifying and neutralizing naval mines, a critical challenge in modern naval operations.”
The recent testing is the first time Raytheon has executed this level of underwater performance trials with the Barracuda system. The data collected moves the program closer to meeting its operational requirements, positioning the system as a critical component in modern naval warfare.
Raytheon’s work on Barracuda began in 2018 when the company was awarded the initial contract. The program achieved its critical design review in March 2023 and has now advanced to the qualification testing phase. In July 2023, Raytheon secured a contract to deliver engineering development model units to the U.S. Navy, with the system expected to enter Low-Rate Initial Production in 2027.
Barracuda is currently the U.S. Navy’s program of record for next-generation mine neutralization. As underwater threats continue to evolve, the development of such systems underscores the growing importance of advanced technology in naval defense operations.