THALES’ Groundbreaking Unmanned Vessel Achieves Key Breakthrough in Autonomous Mine Detection Trials

It has been recently verified by the UK Ministry of Defence that the evaluations were conducted in December 2022 by the Royal Navy Maritime Autonomous System Trials Team (MASTT), backed by Thales. Monitoring and authorizing the evaluations off Weymouth Bay were officials from the UK Naval Authority and Technology Group (NATG) along with the Mine Hunting Capability team from the Ministry of Defence.

The initiative is providing world-class maritime mine warfare capacities, which will ensure that the UK and France remain leaders in naval autonomous systems innovation. The introduction of uncrewed mine clearance vessels will enable the Royal Navy (RN) to sustain their crucial mission of keeping commercial shipping routes open without endangering sailors or occupied platforms in risky areas.

Equipped with a robust array of sensors, such as radar, LIDAR (light detection and ranging), and electro-optical and infrared cameras, the vessel’s location was constantly transmitted to the command and control center via a secure communication network.

This connection permitted the command and control software to integrate the sensor data into a unified (Coherent) tactical overview utilizing Thales MCube mission management software. This integration also facilitates the identification and tracking of other vessels, enabling appropriate responses, including remotely controlled evasive maneuvers.

Once operational, these vessels will be capable of functioning in national waters or being airlifted rapidly around the globe to search for mines in hazardous zones or ensure secure maritime communication lines, while showcasing high levels of reliability, autonomy, and cybersecurity. They can be deployed and managed from ship and shore installations providing versatile and high-performing capabilities.

RNMB Apollo is one of the two pre-production Uncrewed Surface Vessels delivered to the Royal Navy and Marine nationale (French Navy) in December 2021 as part of the collaborative UK-France Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) initiative, which aims to deliver autonomous mine-hunting solutions to both Fleets.

With stage two of the agreement now entering the production phase, Thales is diligently collaborating with both nations and anticipates providing full operational functionality to both countries in 2024.