Royal Navy unveils unmanned sea mine hunting boat

British Royal Navy unveils sonar-equipped unmanned surface vessel to detect, pinpoint, and destroy sea mines. The mine-hunting boat is designed eventually to replace crewed Mine Counter-Measure Vessels like the Royal Navy’s Hunt- and Sandown-class ships.

The United Kingdom Royal Navy has unveiled a state-of-the-art unmanned surface vessel to combat sea mines and protect surface warships from hidden sea mines.

This vessel can be controlled autonomously from miles away, either from a ship or land, as users of the system will be able to detect and neutralize sea mines.

The unmanned surface vessel also tows a sensitive detection device to combat sea mines and keep ships and personnel away from danger. This system was produced by Thales UK in Reading, England, and was created under the joint Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) program between the United Kingdom and France.

It comprises an uncrewed surface vessel, towed sonar, and a portable operation center. Sea mines are a growing threat to the Royal Navy, as key military standoffs take place in oceans around the world.

Source: Military & Aerospace Electronics