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Thales and BAE Systems have entered a collaboration to integrate an advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) mast system onto the Herne XLAUV platform.
The partnership addresses the growing role of autonomous platforms, such as Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) and extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicles, in modern hybrid naval operations. As these platforms are increasingly deployed in contested environments where crewed vessels face heightened risks, the effectiveness of their sensor systems becomes a critical factor in mission success. The companies intend to demonstrate the integrated system on the Herne platform in 2027.
The new ISR mast system is currently under development at the Thales optronics site in Glasgow. Drawing on over a century of design expertise, the system is engineered specifically for uncrewed applications, featuring a stealthy, low-mass design and a modular architecture. This modularity allows operators to customize sensor payloads to meet various operational needs, including electronic warfare, communications, and navigation systems.
A primary technical advantage of this collaboration is the ability to capture 360-degree imagery exceptionally fast. This capability minimizes the time the mast is exposed above the water’s surface, reducing the risk of counter-detection in environments where stealth is a priority. While the Herne XLAUV is payload agnostic, the Thales mast is platform agnostic and scalable, making it suitable for a wide range of autonomous applications.
Tommy Cowan, Sea Business Sector Director, commented, “In a domain where the ability to detect, classify and respond to threats faster than an adversary can mean the difference between mission success and failure, the collaboration between Thales and BAE Systems signals a shared commitment to ensuring that uncrewed platforms are equipped with the sharpest possible eyes from beneath the waves, supporting the Hybrid Navy approach.”
The relationship between Thales and BAE Systems in the subsurface domain is long-standing, dating back to their work on the Valiant-class submarine in 1966. This latest project harnesses that collective expertise to adapt traditional subsurface “eyes” for the next generation of uncrewed, autonomous technology.
