VIDEO: UK Takes Delivery Of First Fully Autonomous Mine Countermeasures System
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Thales has begun training Royal Navy (RN) sailors in the use of its MMCM autonomous unmanned mine countermeasures platforms, having just handed over the first of four systems due to be delivered to the service in 2025.
As part of the Anglo-French project the RN has just taken delivery of its first MMCM suite, which consists of a 12-metre uncrewed surface vessel (USV) — RNMB Ariadne — a Towed Synthetic Aperture Multiviews (TSAM) sonar, a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), and a portable operations centre (e-POC).
In the coming weeks Royal Navy personnel will be undergoing training with Thales staff before starting their own independent Operational Evaluation of the equipment and beginning to use MMCM operationally.
As per a recent Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) press statement, the U.K. Ministry of Defence has invested £184 million into the €430 million programme, which is managed by joint arms group OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d'ARmement, or Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation).
The MMCM project forms part of the DE&S Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) Programme seeking to transition from conventional MCM vessels to autonomous solutions.
Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP, said: "This delivery marks a significant milestone in our mine-hunting capabilities and the autonomous technology will keep Britain and our Royal Navy sailors safer by identifiying and removing them from mines. It has also supported hundreds of skilled jobs across U.K industry.”
At the recent handover ceremony at Thales’ Maritime Autonomy Centre in Plymouth local MP Rebecca Smith commented: “I welcome today’s announcement by Thales regarding the delivery to the Royal Navy of the world’s first end-to-end autonomous mine hunting system.”
Phil Siveter, CEO of Thales in the U.K., added: “With the introduction of AI and advanced sensor technology, this innovation marks a new era in naval defence and underlines our unwavering commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions that enhance the capabilities of our armed forces. The Royal Navy will now have a powerful tool to protect its national interests and maintain safety at sea."
DE&S Director of Maritime Environment Rear Admiral Steve McCarthy said: “This is a significant first delivery for the Royal Navy and is a proud moment for all those involved in bringing this transformative capability into service."
RN MHC Programme Director Jonathan Reed-Beviere added: “This achievement is fundamental to the Royal Navy’s ambition to embrace Maritime Autonomous Systems, as the first Degree 3 autonomous vessel to be delivered into the hands of our sailors, furthering our dedication to removing personnel from the danger of operating within a minefield.”
Thales claimed its Mi-Map analysis system processes sonar data up to four times faster, allowing more precise detection and classification of sea-floor mines.
A statement by the firm observed: “This cutting-edge system places the U.K. and France at the forefront of naval innovation. Utilising cyber-secured autonomous drones equipped with AI, Thales is revolutionising mine countermeasures operations with unprecedented precision and safety.”
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You can read more details on the Royal Navy website, the Thales website, and the DE&S website