T18-M is a towed Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) developed for advanced underwater detection, mine countermeasure, and seabed mapping operations in demanding marine environments. Derived from Exail’s A18-M Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) platform, the system integrates the company’s Umisas interferometric SAS technology to deliver real-time detection, classification, and geo-referenced imaging of underwater threats and seabed features. Designed for operational flexibility and rapid deployment, T18-M supports mine hunting missions at speeds of up to 8 knots while providing high-resolution 3D mapping and broad area coverage.
Engineered with a self-powered architecture, T18-M eliminates the need for power transmission through the towing cable, reducing drag and enabling greater operational depth and higher towing speeds. The system combines a Fiber-Optic Gyroscope (FOG) Inertial Navigation System (INS) with USBL positioning for accurate localization and navigation during subsea operations. Integrated within Exail’s UMIS Toolbox and Umisoft software environment, the sonar supports real-time data transfer, processing, target detection, and classification to accelerate operational decision-making. Compatible with a range of deployment platforms including the Inspector 125 USV, T18-M provides a streamlined and STANAG 1364-compliant solution for modern mine countermeasure operations.
