PAP 104 Series ROV mine-neutralization vehicle

The PAP (Poisson Auto-Propulse, or self-propelled fish) series of robotic undersea vehicles was developed to meet the requirements of the French Mine Warfare Center GESMA (Groupe d'Etudes Sous-Marines de l' Atlantique ). The center wanted a mine disposal device that could operate up to 1,640 ft (500 m) from a mother ship, in waters between 33 to 330 ft (10 to 100 m) for up to 20 minutes.

The requirement called for the device to be silent and almost entirely nonmagnetic to avoid...