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Thales Reinvents Mine Clearance with AI-Enhanced Autonomous Drone for French Navy.
Thales has delivered the first autonomous drone system for naval mine countermeasures to the French Navy as part of the Franco-British MMCM (Maritime Mine Counter Measures) program. This delivery marks a world first, with the system being the first autonomous surface drone to enter operational service within a navy. Conducted under the aegis of the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) and led by the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA), this project represents a significant technological development in mine warfare, a strategic domain for maritime security and freedom of navigation.
France will receive six USVs in 2025, organized into three system-of-systems, each comprising two drones (Picture source: Thales)
The system delivered includes a surface drone (USV – Unmanned Surface Vehicle) equipped with the TSAM towed sonar, designed for the detection and classification of naval mines with high precision. It can be operated from land, a mothership, or an opportunistic vessel, enabling mine countermeasure missions while minimizing risks to personnel. Thales, as the supplier and integrator of the MMCM systems, has developed several advanced technologies to optimize these operations, including the SAMDIS multi-view sonar, the portable e-POC operations center, the M-Cube mission management system, and the Mi-Map data analysis application. The latter, leveraging artificial intelligence, significantly enhances performance by reducing false alarm rates, a key challenge in underwater threat identification.
Measuring 12 meters in length, this compact surface drone is designed for rapid deployment and is air transportable. It can be loaded onto an A400M aircraft and be operational in less than 48 hours. It is also planned to be integrated into future mine warfare vessels (BGDM), providing enhanced operational flexibility.
As part of the SLAMF (Système de Lutte Anti-mines Marines Futur) program, France will receive six USVs in 2025, organized into three system-of-systems, each comprising two drones. These deliveries will complement the prototype system already delivered and updated. The British Royal Navy will also receive four system-of-systems, each consisting of a single USV, within the same timeframe. This program reflects the shared ambition of France and the United Kingdom to adopt innovative and disruptive operational concepts to strengthen their naval mine countermeasure capabilities.
Several competing systems are already available in this strategic field. Among them, the REMUS from Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) is an autonomous underwater vehicle (UUV) used by the US and British navies for mine detection and neutralization. Elbit Systems' Seagull, a modular USV, offers similar capabilities, featuring remote operation and the integration of various sensors for anti-submarine and mine warfare missions. Saab's MuMNS (Mine Neutralisation System) is designed to operate alongside USVs such as L3Harris' ARCIMS, a proven system in service with the Royal Navy. Atlas Elektronik's ARCIMS, used by several European navies, stands out for its modularity and ability to carry various payloads and sensors. Compared to these solutions, Thales' system distinguishes itself through its integrated approach, combining a surface drone with an advanced towed sonar, enhanced by artificial intelligence, which improves detection accuracy and significantly reduces false alarms.
Naval mines pose a significant threat to maritime navigation and naval operations. Cost-effective and easy to deploy, they can obstruct access to ports, disrupt strategic trade routes, and force navies to allocate substantial resources for their clearance. Their effectiveness, demonstrated in numerous conflicts, makes them a key element for adversaries seeking to challenge conventional naval forces. With the development of smart mines capable of selective targeting, the threat has become even more complex, increasing the need for autonomous and high-performance solutions to ensure safe detection and neutralization.
Beyond military considerations, the challenges associated with mine warfare extend to economic and strategic dimensions. A naval mine blockade can severely impact global trade and trigger major crises, particularly in critical areas such as the Strait of Hormuz or the South China Sea. Ensuring the free movement of maritime traffic has led major powers to invest in advanced autonomous systems capable of conducting mine clearance operations without exposing personnel to danger. In this context, the development of solutions from companies like Thales, Saab, and Elbit Systems plays a crucial role in enhancing maritime security. With advancements in artificial intelligence and naval robotics, these systems enable navies to improve their responsiveness, interoperability, and effectiveness, contributing to the protection of key maritime routes.