Method and apparatus for neutralization of mines and obstacles

The present invention relates in general to methods and apparatus for clearing water mines and obstacles located under water from a specified surf zone or area. More specifically, the invention is related to a method and apparatus for neutralization of mines and obstacles that utilizes high pressure pulses to destroy mines and obstacles within the surf zone. The invention provides a method and apparatus for neutralizing mines and obstacles that can quickly and efficiently clear a specified surf zone without human intervention. In a preferred embodiment, the invention utilizes firing tubes including a combustion chamber, a mechanism for supplying an aluminum fuel to the combustion chamber; and an ignitor for igniting the aluminum fuel within said combustion chamber to generate pressure waves. The firing tubes arranged in arrays located on sides of a main body of an autonomous vehicle. Activation of the firing tubes on a rear side of the main body is utilized in a preferred embodiment to propel the vehicle forward. Forward propagating pressure waves generated by firing tubes arranged on forward facing first and second sides of the main body are utilized to destroy mines and other obstructions located within a selected surf area.