Forcys has partnered with Eelume to deliver an integrated autonomous Mine Counter-Measure (MCM) solution designed for operations in challenging littoral and seabed environments.
The combined capability brings together Forcys’ subsea sensor integration expertise with Eelume’s highly manoeuvrable Eelume S Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) to improve detection, assessment and confirmation of underwater threats in UK and Norwegian waters.
The solution integrates Eelume S with sonar and optical systems from Wavefront Systems and Voyis, enabling Detection, Classification and Identification from a single autonomous platform. This approach delivers levels of certainty previously associated with larger, crewed vessels, while reducing operational risk and logistical burden.
Challenges in Complex Littoral Environments
MCM operations in shallow waters, harbours and confined seabed areas remain among the most demanding naval tasks. Conventional AUVs are typically optimised for either endurance or manoeuvrability, creating limitations in complex terrain. Eelume S addresses these challenges by combining wide-area survey capability with close-proximity inspection in a compact, bio-inspired design.
Thomas Nygaard, CEO at Eelume, said, “Modern mines hide in the most challenging seabed environments, among rocks, slopes and narrow channels that traditional AUVs can’t fully access. Eelume S combines detection, classification and identification in one system, eliminating the need for ROV operations and reducing time-consuming mine sweeping through its manoeuvrability, advanced sensor suite and in-mission processing capabilities. This keeps personnel and vessels out of the minefield and makes MCM safer, faster and more efficient.”
Sensor Integration & Platform Design
Forcys acts as the single integration partner, ensuring optimal performance across vehicle, sonar and imaging systems.
The Solstice multi-aperture sonar provides image quality close to synthetic aperture sonar while operating with significantly lower data and power demands, making it well suited to shallow and high-relief environments. Voyis optical imaging systems deliver high-resolution, true-colour stills, supporting rapid visual identification once potential threats are detected.
The Eelume S platform uses an articulated, bio-inspired propulsion system with dual counter-rotating propellers, providing precise control of pitch, yaw and roll. This allows the vehicle to operate close to the seabed, manoeuvre around obstacles and maintain stable sensor positioning. Its compact form factor supports deployment from uncrewed surface vessels, enabling extended remote and multi-vehicle operations.
Operational Performance
Solstice data showing a man made target (crab trap) as seen from Eelume S.
Trials conducted in Norway’s coastal waters demonstrated consistent area coverage and the ability to deliver high-resolution, actionable data with reduced bandwidth requirements compared to traditional synthetic aperture sonar missions.
Commenting on operational performance, Thomas Nygaard added, “We outperform traditional AUVs, not just on complex bathymetry, but also on flat seabeds because we can operate closer to the seabed and capture higher-quality images. With the Solstice MAS sonar integrated we get the best of both worlds, combining agile movement with the data quality needed to act quickly on targets.”
Voyis image showing the same crab trap as seen from Eelume S.
The integrated Eelume S solution supports improved operational certainty, enhanced safety through reduced reliance on crewed assets, scalability for uncrewed and networked mine countermeasure operations, and lower data and power demands. For countries such as the UK, where complex littoral zones and critical infrastructure require reliable protection, the capability provides an agile and interoperable option aligned with national and NATO defence needs.
Justin Hains, Forcys Business Development Manager, commented, “This collaboration with Eelume demonstrates how Forcys is enabling navies forces like the Royal Navy to operate more effectively in challenging environments previousy considered unhuntable. The integration of Wavefront Systems MAS and Voyis imaging on the Eelume AUV delivers detection, classification and identification from a single platform, a capability proven in Norway’s fjords where traditional AUVs fail due to complex bathymetry. For UK missions at home and deployed, this means faster, safer and more reliable coverage across critical littoral zones.”
