In a significant milestone for the Franco-British Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) programme, Thales has delivered a cutting-edge autonomous surface drone system to the French Navy. This delivery underscores Thales’s industrial commitment and the strategic progress of the programme, which is managed by OCCAR with support from the French DGA and the UK MoD.
This system represents a transformative capability for naval defence, designed to enhance operational performance while minimizing personnel exposure in hazardous mine countermeasures (MCM) environments. The unmanned system integrates a suite of advanced technologies, including the TSAM towed sonar and the unique SAMDIS “multi-view” sonar antenna, which provides exceptional detection capabilities. This sensor suite is credited with achieving a sea mine detection rate exceeding 99%, guaranteeing naval forces a decisive operational superiority against complex threats.
The delivery follows a first production system provided in December 2024 and builds upon prototypes tested extensively by the French Navy and Royal Navy since 2021. Incorporating feedback from end-users and over 3,000 hours of sea trials, Thales, in collaboration with the Couach shipyard, has refined the systems to fully meet operational demands. The result is a resilient, cyber-secure system of drones, approved for sensitive missions and operated without a crew.
Core to this unmanned system is Thales’s innovative mission management software, M-Cube, and the MiMap data analysis software. These systems leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to optimize mission planning, accelerate sonar data analysis, and significantly reduce the cognitive load on operators. This integrated approach demonstrates Thales’s expertise as a systems integrator, creating a first-of-its-kind autonomous solution for maritime defence operations.
According to Sébastien Guérémy, Vice-President of Thales’s Underwater Systems activities, the company is proud to support the French Navy’s transition to a new MCM operational concept. The MMCM programme increases mission efficiency and crew safety, a world-first achievement made possible by high-performance sensors, AI algorithms, and unwavering team commitment.
