Ansch'tz delivered SYNTACS for Indonesian MCM vessels

Abeking & Rasmussen has selected Anschütz to design and deliver an integrated solution for mine countermeasures (MCM), command and control, and navigation for two mine countermeasures vessels of the Indonesian Navy. The first of the two new vessels, which are among the most modern ships of their kind, is currently successfully completing its sea trials.

The integrated solution is equipped with Synapsis NX navigation and bridge systems, an integrated SYNTACS command and control system, as well as a state-of-the-art mine-hunting sonar. This enables leading-edge MCM operations that are highly precise, safe and efficient from mission initiation to mission success.

“We are proud to contribute to this new design of mine countermeasures vessels,” said Dr. Thomas Lehmann, who leads the Integrated Mission Systems business unit. “As integrator for the MCM suite, command-and-control and navigation systems, we have designed and delivered an integrated solution that improves mission performance and safety, and also streamlines processes on board."

Efficient mine countermeasures are of crucial importance for safe maritime traffic and the protection of maritime infrastructure. A newly developed software module for SYNTACS provides the capabilities required to plan, execute, coordinate and monitor MCM missions.

SYNTACS compiles a comprehensive operational picture based on nautical sea charts and the navigation and surveillance sensors on board. Based on this picture, the MCM module enables planning and assigning search areas and search routes, either individually or based on predefined patterns. The MCM solution features object tracking above and below water as well as classification according to MIL-STD-2525. The objects and their precise position are integrated on the common operational picture and shared with every workstation on board in real time.

“Providing our MCM suite in an integrated solution improves safety, precision and efficiency in the detection and classification of suspicious objects, but also enables the distribution of a common operational picture across the ship and to other units,” said Lehmann.

SYNTACS can be installed as a stand-alone system or integrated with radar and (warship) electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS/WECDIS). This provides a one-stop navigation and mission planning with standardised user interfaces and reduced training requirements. Based on commercial off-the-shelf hardware and modular software, SYNTACS represents a cost-effective, but powerful solution for mine detection and countermeasures.

The two MCM vessels will be delivered to the Indonesian Navy in 2023.