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The Royal Navy is set to enhance its mine hunting operations through a new contract with Thales to develop and deliver next-generation portable autonomous command centres.
This initial £10 million investment, awarded by Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), marks the first phase of a programme with the potential to reach £100 million. The initiative forms part of the Autonomous Remote Command Centre (RCC) contract and is focused on integrating a system of systems incorporating multiple uncrewed assets operating both above and below the water. The move towards greater autonomy supports the UK’s Strategic Defence vision for a “Hybrid Navy”, improving operational agility while reducing personnel exposure to mine danger areas.
At the technical core of the command centres are the M-Cube and Mi-Map software suites. M-Cube acts as the mission management system, providing mission planning, execution and situational awareness tools already in service with several international navies. Complementing this capability is the Mi-Map planning and evaluation software, which uses artificial intelligence to support automatic target recognition. By applying machine learning to filter and refine raw sensor data, the system can process large volumes of information at speed, enhancing accuracy and decision support for operators.
The development of these AI-enabled capabilities is supported by cortAIx, Thales’ dedicated AI accelerator, which draws on a global workforce of approximately 800 AI specialists. Initial delivery will comprise twin containerised command centre solutions designed to integrate platforms, systems and sub-systems. This modular approach enables the Royal Navy to coordinate fleets of autonomous assets from containerised, vessel-based or shore-based command locations, while allowing future capability evolution.
Paul Armstrong, Managing Director for Underwater Systems activities at Thales in the UK, commented, “This next-generation of autonomous command centres builds on our proven mine countermeasures heritage and forms part of a flexible suite of autonomous command-and-control solutions, from containerised systems to vessel operations centres or large shore-based operations centres. By collaborating across the supply chain, we are committed to supporting the UK with world-class technology and fostering growth and high-value skilled jobs across our UK operations.”
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard MP added, “By embracing autonomous maritime technology, the Royal Navy is pioneering innovation to help keep our sailors safe at sea. This is backed by a UK defence industry delivering world-class capabilities that exemplify how defence acts as an engine for growth.”
While the current focus is on Mine Counter Measures (MCM), the autonomous command-and-control capability has potential application across the broader seabed warfare domain, aligning with the Royal Navy’s Long Term Capability Plan for mission systems integration.
The programme also carries important industrial implications. Thales’ continued investment in UK mine countermeasures activities sustains more than 200 highly skilled jobs, particularly at its Somerset and Plymouth sites, while supporting a wider regional supply chain.
