Royal Navy establishes autonomous minesweeping capability

Image courtesy DE&S

Developed and manufactured in the UK by Dorset-based TKMS Atlas UK Ltd (formerly Atlas Elektronik UK), the three sets of autonomous minesweeping systems, known as SWEEP, can safely clear sea lanes to defeat modern mine threats.   
The £25 million contract has supported 55 highly-skilled jobs in Dorset and around the UK, backing the government’s Plan for Change by driving defence as an engine for economic growth.

The SWEEP system’s innovative technology can defeat sophisticated modern digital sea mines which can detect and target ships and submarines passing nearby. The system consists of Unmanned Surface Vessels and sophisticated payloads to detonate mines quickly whilst being controlled remotely by operators located in command centres that can be at sea or on land.

SWEEP’s ‘sense and avoid’ capability works together with other similar autonomous systems, such as the Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) system and SeaCat Unmanned Underwater Vehicles, for the common goals of sustaining freedom of manoeuvre for Royal Navy vessels and making international waters safer.

Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP, said: “This is the first time that the Royal Navy has autonomous minesweeping capability available, delivering on the Strategic Defence Review’s vision for a more hybrid Navy to patrol the North Atlantic and beyond. The new systems can safely clear sea lanes to defeat mines, helping to keep Britain and our sailors safer.

“This investment supports highly skilled jobs in Dorset and across the UK, backing the government’s Plan for Change by driving defence as an engine for economic growth.”

Jonathan Reed-Beviere, Mine Hunting Capability Programme Director for the Royal Navy, said: “The Royal Navy receiving its first fully autonomous minesweeping system is truly transformational. The unmanned system can replicate a ship’s signature, tricking sea mines into detonating safely. 

“The portable, flexible system is vital to protecting ships from modern mine threats, operated remotely from land or sea, it will keep our sailors out of danger and will restore a minesweeping capability the Royal Navy has lacked since 2005.”

Andy Lapsley, Mine Hunting Capability Team Leader at DE&S, said: “These three SWEEP systems will help to ensure Royal Navy personnel can combat the evolving global threat of naval mines more effectively and more safely.

“The new technology, which will also help maintain the freedom of manoeuvre for UK ships and submarines when defending the UK at sea, is aligned with the aims of the Strategic Defence Review to increase utilisation of new autonomous equipment to support the Royal Navy to patrol the North Atlantic and beyond.”

Antoni Mazur, Managing Director of TKMS Atlas UK, said: "It’s an incredibly proud moment to see these cutting-edge minesweeping systems enter service with the Royal Navy.

"We have worked with the MOD for decades to develop our minesweeping expertise and deliver this capability as a true, UK innovation, supporting highly skilled local jobs and the manufacturing base. We look forward to continuing to work with the RN and MHC team for the success of the transition to an autonomous MCM capability for the UK."