Abstract: A projectile for piercing a casing of a mine containing an explosive material. The projectile includes a projectile body having a nose portion and a tail portion and a longitudinal axis, a switch, and electrodes separated such that in use an electrical discharge can flow between them through an explosive material contained within a mine, or to initiate an energetic material provided between the electrodes to detonate an explosive material contained within a mine. Also provided is a method of mine disposal.

Abstract: Projectile launch apparatus (20) for use in a fluid environment. The apparatus (20) comprises a launch tube (21) having a supercavitating projectile (24) with cavitator (29) received within the launch tube (21). A means for generating expulsion gas (not visible) is arranged to provide expulsion gas to propel the projectile (24) from the launch tube (21), with means for bleeding expulsion gas (31, 32) being provided to bleed a portion of expulsion gas around the projectile (24). This allows expulsion gases to contribute to the formation of the gas cavity around the supercavitating projectile (24) as the projectile (24) is launched from the launch tube (21). Particularly suited to the deployment of supercavitating projectiles underwater, such as in underwater mine disposal applications.

Abstract: A projectile for piercing a casing of a mine containing an explosive material. The projectile includes a projectile body having a nose portion and a tail portion and a longitudinal axis, a switch, and electrodes separated such that in use an electrical discharge can flow between them through an explosive material contained within a mine, or to initiate an energetic material provided between the electrodes to detonate an explosive material contained within a mine. Also provided is a method of mine disposal.