What is the MK-105 Magnetic Sweep?

What is the MK-105 Magnetic Sweep?

• A. A buoy-based marker system.
• B. A towed acoustic detector.
• C. A high speed hydrofoil sled that carries a gas turbine generator to power its magnetic sweep gear, as well as an adjustable waveform output.
• D. An underwater glider used for data collection.

Answer: (C)

Magnetic sweeps are used in mine countermeasures to generate controlled magnetic fields as a platform moves through the water, so magnetic influence mines can be triggered in a safe, predictable way. The MK-105 fits this role because it’s a high-speed hydrofoil sled that carries a gas turbine generator to power the magnetic sweep gear and to produce an adjustable magnetic waveform. This combination lets the system rapidly sweep a path and tailor the magnetic signature to different mine types or environmental conditions, ensuring reliable triggering and enabling subsequent neutralization activities. The other options describe marking, detection, or data-collection platforms, which do not generate the magnetic field in the way a sweep device does.

Magnetic sweeps are used in mine countermeasures to generate controlled magnetic fields as a platform moves through the water, so magnetic influence mines can be triggered in a safe, predictable way. The MK-105 fits this role because it’s a high-speed hydrofoil sled that carries a gas turbine generator to power the magnetic sweep gear and to produce an adjustable magnetic waveform. This combination lets the system rapidly sweep a path and tailor the magnetic signature to different mine types or environmental conditions, ensuring reliable triggering and enabling subsequent neutralization activities. The other options describe marking, detection, or data-collection platforms, which do not generate the magnetic field in the way a sweep device does.