Thales USV Completes Autonomous Mine Hunting Trials

The tests with RNMB Apollo prove remotely controlled uncrewed vessels can be operated by a team at a shore-based control station, carrying out a series of tasks, while retaining awareness of its course and position utilizing line of sight communications systems By Joe Macey / 16 Jun 2023

Autonomy Software

Discover cutting-edge solutions from 7 leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Follow UST
USV in operation. Photo courtesy of Ewan Lebourdais/Thales.

The Royal Navy Motor Boat (RNMB) Apollo, an Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) delivered by Thales, has completed a demanding series of Royal Navy and industry open water assurance trials.

The completed tests with Apollo prove remotely controlled uncrewed vessels can be operated by a team at a shore-based control station, completing a series of tasks, while retaining awareness of its course and position utilising line of sight communications systems.

Trials were run in December 2022 by the Royal Navy Maritime Autonomous System Trials Team (MASTT), supported by Thales. Observing and approving the trials off Weymouth Bay were representatives from the UK Naval Authority and Technology Group (NATG) and the Mine Hunting Capability team from the Ministry of Defence.

Fitted with a powerful combination of sensors, including radar, LIDAR (light detection and ranging) and electro-optical and infra-red cameras, the vessel’s position was continuously relayed to the command and control centre over a secure communications network.

This connection enabled the command and control software to merge the sensor inputs into a single (coherent) tactical picture using Thales MCube mission management software. It also allows detection and tracking of other vessels and to take appropriate actions, including remotely controlled avoidance manoeuvres.

In service, these vessels will be capable of operating in national waters or being air-transported quickly across the world to hunt for mines in danger zones or secure sea lines of communications, while demonstrating high rates of reliability, autonomy and cybersecurity. They can be deployed and operated from ship and shore bases providing configurable and performant capability.

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 joint UK-France Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) program which will bring autonomous mine hunting capability to the two respective Fleets.

With stage two of the contract now in the production phase, Thales is said to be actively working with the customers and expects to be able to deliver full operating capability to both Nations in 2024.

Alex Cresswell, Thales UK Chief Executive and Chairman, said: “As the first of their kind, these trials are a significant milestone in the path towards certification of autonomous maritime systems for operational use. They represent one of the first important steps in gaining trust in uncrewed vessels in a complex program. The trial is a critical remote operation stepping stone towards autonomous mine hunting.” 

Gwendoline Blandin-Roger, Thales Managing Director Underwater Systems, added: “We have a long tradition of supporting the Royal Navy and Marine nationale in mine warfare, surface ship and underwater operations and we are very proud to be working with them to bring these game-changing autonomous systems into operational service.”

Find Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) companies and suppliers of unmanned surface vessels, USV boats and unmanned sea vehicles for hydrographic survey, oceanographic research and other military applications >>

Posted by Joe Macey Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

Most Read Articles on UST This Week

Here’s our round-up of the five most read articles on UnmannedSystemsTechnology.com this week

Apr 17, 2025
Updates on Conformal Coating & Tin Whiskers

SCS outlines updates on conformal coatings and tin whiskers, looking into the origin of tin whiskers, how to mitigate their adverse consequences with conformal coatings, and more

Apr 17, 2025
Quadratix Powers Multi-Domain UAS Operations with AI & Automation

General Atomics integrates its software expertise into Quadratix, a unified ecosystem designed to enhance multi-domain operations with AI, automation, and real-time data fusion across air, land, sea, cyber, and space, including unmanned systems

Apr 17, 2025
Integrated ROV Camera & DVR System Streamlines Visual Inspections

SubC Imaging outlines how its Rayfin SCI system simplifies underwater inspections by combining camera control and DVR functions into a single interface for ROV operators

Apr 17, 2025
ParaZero Unveils Advanced Parachute Recovery System for Critical Drone Operations

ParaZero launches the SafeAir M4, an advanced parachute recovery system designed for the DJI Matrice 4, enhancing drone safety, compliance, and mission readiness

Apr 17, 2025
The Evolution of Aurora Flight Sciences’ sUAS Platforms

Aurora Flight Sciences has spent more than ten years refining sUAS capabilities, and its evolving platforms now support a broad range of ISR missions

Apr 17, 2025

Featured Content

WarrenUAS Adds Another Top Expert in Sophisticated Unmanned Aircraft

WarrenUAS has announced a collaborative agreement with The Tactien Group, deepening its industry ties and expanding its leadership in unmanned aircraft systems training and research

Apr 15, 2025
​​​​Teledyne Marine Launches Compact Autonomous Navigation Solution at Ocean Business

Teledyne Marine has unveiled the Compact Navigator at Ocean Business 2025, an ultra-compact autonomous navigation system designed for ROVs and AUVs, optimizing size, power, and performance in a single lightweight unit

Apr 10, 2025
Greensea IQ to Present Autonomous EverClean Robot at Ocean Business 2025

Greensea IQ will introduce its hybrid EverClean Inspection Robot at Ocean Business 2025, showcasing advanced capabilities for underwater asset inspection and data collection

Apr 07, 2025
Advancing Unmanned Systems Through Strategic Collaboration UST works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive unmanned systems capabilities forward.