In naval warfare, minesweepers have two primary tactical functions: to clear mines from sea lanes in order to protect the minesweeping nation's warships and merchant shipping; and to clear a path through minefields so that other warships can engage in battle or launch an amphibious landing (such as those in the Pacific theatre during World War II). Minesweepers can be just as vitally needed after a war has ended; hundreds of minesweepers were used to clear the tens of thousands of mines left floating in the world's sea lanes after the end of World War II.

The wide use by Communist forces during the Korean War of magnetic mines (detonated by the magnetic field of steel ships) led to the development of wooden-hulled nonmagnetic sweepers to replace steel-hulled World War II types. These craft had plywood hulls, stainless-steel-alloy engines, and metal fittings of aluminum, brass, or magnesium. The typical ocean minesweeper is about 50 m (165 feet) long, has a displacement of 750 tons, and has a crew of about 60. Another addition to the U.S. minesweeping force was the minesweeping boat; this vessel was completely nonmagnetic, equipped to sweep contact, magnetic, or acoustic mines, and was operated by a crew of six enlisted men. Helicopter minesweepers were also developed; these aircraft hover safely over the sea while towing minesweeping gear that explodes magnetic or acoustic mines.