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Multinational Naval Operation Discovers WWII-Era Torpedo in Baltic Sea

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090618-20
Release Date: 6/18/2009 8:08:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael T. Rumbach, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa/Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet Public Affairs

USS MOUNT WHITNEY, At Sea (NNS) -- A Swedish Navy ship operating in the Baltic Sea June 12 identified a British Royal Navy torpedo while conducting mine countermeasure operations as part of Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) exercise 2009.

The Swedish mine ship HSwMS Faaroesund (MUL-20) discovered the object June 10 while deploying its autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for a tactical evaluation of the sea floor as part of BALTOPS.

To further explore the object, they deployed divers and unmanned probes with video equipment to record the evidence.

Several underwater images of moored contact lines that serve as anchors used to keep mines from floating to the surface confirmed the presence of a line of mines deployed during World War II. While they were exploring the mines, they also discovered a British Royal Navy torpedo from the same time period intact.

"The Baltic Sea has been a scene for many wars. We quite often find unexploded ordnance, such as German mines, U.K. mines and U.K. torpedoes," said Swedish Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jörgen Bergman, a planning officer embarked on the amphibious control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20).

Although the presence of mines creates problems in shipping lanes and underwater development in the Baltic Sea, Swedish authorities say the torpedo poses no threat, said Bergman.

The AUV Sapphires, the Swedish torpedo converted for underwater surveying, detected the object with its synthetic aperture sonar (SAS). SAS is a sophisticated system that generates a higher resolution than standard types of sonar.

BALTOPS is comprised of forces from 12 countries and is the largest multinational naval exercise this year in the Baltic Sea. Annually hosted by the United States Navy, the exercise aims to improve maritime security in the Baltic Sea through increased interoperability and cooperation among regional allies.