Euronaval 2024 – Thales’ Pathmaster unmanned-based MCM ‘system of systems’ reaches new heights

In September 2023, Thales announced to have successfully demonstrated at sea the ability of the first fully integrated unmanned-based MCM system developed in Europe to locate, identify, and neutralise sea mines. Under the framework of the Franco-British Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) programme, Thales has developed the Pathmaster MCM ‘system of systems’ based on unmanned platforms and systems, which first series production suites, according to the latest updates provided during the pre-Euronaval press tour, will be delivered to the French and the UK customers between late 2024 and early 2025, while an export customer is closing, according to Thales

As prime contractor and lead systems integrator on the MMCM programme, working extensively with partners, Thales has further consolidated its leading position among the drone-based MCM suite suppliers. The Franco-British Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) programme, today managed by the OCCAR agency, was launched in 2010 and the Stage 1 regarding study, definition and design followed in 2015. The production and qualification of two identical MMCM prototype/demonstrators (Stage 2 and 3) was contracted in 2016 and the Stage II was signed in October 2020. The first two prototypes were delivered incrementally following at sea qualifications in conditions up to and including Sea State 4. Since the end of 2021, the Marine Nationale and the Royal Navy have been conducting operational evaluations of the unmanned-based systems, which led to enhancements that were added to the two first series production suites.

Personnel training for the first two Pathmaster unmanned-based MCM suites destined one each to the two services was launched in July 2024 and their delivery to respectively the Marine Nationale and the Royal Navy is planned by the end of 2024 for the first service and in early 2025 for the second, according to Thales representatives. In the meantime the two prototype systems are being upgraded. In total each service will receive four system suites including the upgraded prototypes.

Each Pathmaster suite is made of up to two 12 meters USVs by L3Harris ASV and Thales, capable to accommodate, launch and recover the Thales T-SAM towed system with the same company’s SAMDIS high-resolution and single-path multi-view sonar to detect, classify and localize (DCL functions) the mine threats, and the Saab MuMNS (Multi-Shot Mine Neutralization System) ROV able to-relocate and neutralize them. Each Pathmaster suite also includes unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) equipped with sonars (later discussed in this article), to be used together or separately by other systems, deployed from pier, military vessels or platforms of opportunity. All the suite is managed by a Portable Operation Centre (POC) in a 20-foot container with four operator consoles being supported in their roles by the M-Cube mission management system (MMS) and Mi-Map software for post mission analysis, both provided by Thales.

The versatile M-Cube mission system is based on an open, modular architecture to ensure effective management of the most complex operations. Incorporating state-of-the-art technologies, its comprehensive functionality covers all phases of mine countermeasure missions: planning, execution and supervision, assessment, debriefing and training. M-Cube is readily configurable to accommodate any type of deployed sensors and includes a wide range of built-in support tools. It drastically reduces operator workload while ensuring a very high level of efficiency and safety.

The MiMap was developed to support detection, classification and localisation of underwater mine threats with the support of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. It provides multi-user high-speed access to a sonar database and comprises a human-machine interface with a set of functions ranging from sonar image display and mapping to contacts analysis and management. It is optimised to get MCM tasks done quickly either in post mission mode (UUV data) or in real time mission mode (for towed sonar data). Its design allows rapid navigation in huge synthetic aperture radar image data sets and the efficient handling of thousands of contacts.

Thanks to the scalable and modular design of the whole package, the two control and support software packages run on both an expeditionary Portable Operations Centre (e-POC) and a containerized POC, as well as on the 27 operator consoles of the shore based operational centre which is part of the procurement package by the French DGA together with a mine warfare data centre (MWDC) being fed with data provided by all French assets and systems. “The French DGA has also procured through OCCAR the e-POC demonstrator, which was developed in less than six months, running software developed for the M-Cube and MiMap systems on a single computer equipped with three 13-inch control screens to plan, execute and analyse missions requiring the simultaneous deployment of up to three UUVs. Small enough to fit into just six transport cases for expeditionary operations, being transported inside the UUV container, it can be operated from ship, small boats, ashore and vehicles. The e-POC has already been deployed in multinational exercises by the French operator, namely during the first MCM exercise organized by the Romanian Navy in the Black Sea in 2024.

Thanks to its adaptability and scalability, according to the Thales representative, the Pathmaster can be used in amphibious, homeland security, seaport access and choke point operational scenarios, characterized by complex bottoms and mine threats, in sea rough conditions to depths over 200 metres and in strong currents. Equipped with a communication suite by Thales and an obstacle detection and mine avoidance sonar allowing to operate at distance in the suspected or declared minefield, the 12 metres USVs are capable to autonomously operate the over mentioned payloads up to Sea State 4. In summer 2024, the Royal Navy achieved a key milestone in operations without crew, having successfully passed the Level 3 with the T-SAM system at sea. Capable to be towed at up to 200 meters depth in strong currents, the high-resolution and single-path multi-view SAMDIS 300 sonar used by the T-SAM generates long-range, high-resolution images with excellent penetration through shadow contrast, even in shallow waters. It produces three images of a contact simultaneously, from three different angles (namely: broadside, + 30°, – 30°). This unique feature enables SAMDIS to achieve, on its own, a high coverage rate with high confidence of successful detection and classification of mines, an essential capability for autonomous mine countermeasure systems.

The MuMNS ROV is equipped with three reloadable munitions to accomplish multiple neutralizations in one mission up to 300 metres depth and strong currents.

While the Pathmaster for the French Navy includes two USVs, one each for the two different payloads used by the two services, the Royal Navy uses only one USV for both payloads. In total, the industrial team led by Thales is providing 11 USVs, of which seven for the Marine Nationale and four for the Royal Navy.

After an initial common procurement of the Exail A-27M UUVs equipped with the SAMDIS sonar for a total of three systems for each service, the French Navy asked Exail and Thales to provide a lighter and more versatile solution based on the A-18M autonomous UUV by Exail equipped with a new generation version of the Thales SAMDIS sonar. The new sonar developed by Thales and called SAMDIS 600 has half the volume, one third power consumption and advanced processing capabilities while providing the same performances of the SAMDIS 300 model. “The new sonar is in the qualification phase, and after equipment dry tests and in the pool, performed since October 2024, it is expected to go at sea in 2025,” the Thales representative said adding that discussions are ongoing for a contract to be awarded in due time. As for the Royal Navy, the service is acquiring a different Atlas Elektronik autonomous UUVs equipped with the same company’s sonar.

The Pathmaster for the French Navy is expected to reach an early operational capability in late 2025 without the neutralization capability, which will be provided by EOD divers until the MuMNS live munitions will be qualified with a delivery schedule planned for 2026. The Royal Navy is expected to reach the initial operational capability in the course of 2025.

Photos courtesy Thales and E. Lebourdais