Thales and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Join Forces to Revolutionize Sonar Technology for Mine-Free Waters
In the context of the French-Japanese bilateral Defense agreement, France and Japan have finalized a Project Arrangement for the next phase of collaboration which involves the creation by Thales and MHI of a dual frequency sonar demonstrator tailored for mine countermeasures on an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV).
While mines, or even the threat of mines, pose a risk to all on the waters, addressing them proficiently is crucial to maintaining essential trade routes and securing maritime access and force projection—this holds particular significance for nations with high-value assets or ports experiencing considerable commercial activity. In light of the escalating dangers presented by bottom-lying, semi or fully buried mines in coastal zones, DGA and ATLA have resolved to join forces to examine the effectiveness of cutting-edge dual frequency sonar technology.
To realize this objective, both nations have opted to place their trust in MHI and Thales, who embody technological prowess that complements one another, thus enhancing, through this agreement, their ongoing and fruitful partnership. As a leading entity globally in mine countermeasures with an excess of 300 mine-hunting systems operational worldwide, Thales will contribute its esteemed proficiency in sonar processing alongside its latest generation High Frequency synthetic aperture sonar, SAMDIS, which features multi-aspect capability. MHI will, in turn, supply its Low Frequency synthetic aperture sonar and the OZZ-5 AUV.
The intelligent amalgamation of the High Frequency & Low Frequency sonars, combined with a unified automatic detection and classification capability, will not only enhance performance and capabilities within a solitary solution but will also mutually benefit the processing and imaging of each sonar. This will culminate in a distinctive autonomous mine countermeasure system proficient at detecting, classifying, and localizing all categories of mines, from those deeply buried to surface mines.
This agreement initiates a five-year endeavor for the design, development, and integration of dual frequency synthetic aperture sonar processing along with at-sea trials (in Japan & France). It is the realization of extensive collaborative efforts over the years among the DGA, ATLA, Thales, and MHI to co-develop a project that fulfills the requirements of both the French Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, thereby allowing France and Japan to remain at the leading edge of innovations in unmanned mine countermeasure systems.
“Thales is immensely proud to participate, alongside our partner MHI, in the inaugural Franco-Japanese Defense Cooperation project. We are truly excited to bring our field-tested expertise with the SAMDIS High Frequency sonar to the advantage of the national and international Defense forces of France and Japan through this successful and unique collaboration aimed at safer maritime environments,” stated Alexis Morel, Vice-President of Underwater Systems at Thales.
“In Japan, Thales is committed to fostering enduring sustainable alliances with our vital stakeholders. This extended partnership with MHI reinforces our dedication to the country and to enhancing the bilateral relationship between France and Japan. I am confident that our technologies and collaborative efforts can produce singular and innovative solutions that will fortify the capacities of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force as they cultivate local expertise for the future,” remarked Cyrille Dupont, President and CEO of Thales Japan.
