The A/N37U-1 Mechanical Minesweeping System is a towed system that uses sweepwires armed with explosive cutters to sever mine moorings.  Four (4) electromechanical otters divert a pair of two segment sweepwires into a double echelon and control the depth of its mid and aft portions.  A single electromechanical depressor, located near the sweepwire apex, maintains depth at the forward end of the sweep.  The automatic depth control capability of the otters and depressor enables the sweep assembly to operate at any selected depth without the floats required by comparable existing systems. 

A calibration unit is provided to set the mission sweep depth into memory and check out the depth control electronics.  The basic A/N37U 1 configuration consists of the five depth controlled bodies, four otters, and one depressor, a pair of two segment sweepwires, an armament of MK-17 explosive cutters, the tow wire assembly, and one 1,000-ft. segment of towline.  Auxiliary Depressors and additional towline segments are added for various depth increments down to a maximum depth.

The system provides high area coverage rate capability to sweep moored mines laid in shallow, medium and deep water.  The system is deployed, operated and retrieved from selected helicopters and surface platforms.  As a modular, lightweight system, it offers the benefit of not requiring any peculiar deck handling equipment, such as a crane, to facilitate the streaming or recovery of the system.  With its heaviest component weighing just less than 64 pounds (29kg.), the system is easily deployed and recovered by hand making a safe, simple evolution by minimizing the on deck coordination required.