DCNS, Thales and ECA win DGA contract to study drones for mine countermeasures
The French defence procurement agency (DGA) has awarded DCNS, Thales and ECA a major study contract that is expected to lead, around 2011, to a demonstrator of a new mine countermeasures solution dubbed Espadon*.
Today, mine countermeasures (MCM) is typically performed by dedicated vessels known as minehunters. MCM operations expose minehunter crews to considerable danger due to the simple fact that these vessels operate in known mine fields.
With many navies expected to renew their MCM systems over the coming decade, DCNS, Thales and ECA have put forward a joint solution using a type of naval drone known as an unmanned surface vehicle. USVs offer the key benefit of keeping minehunter crews out of harm's way.
The Espadon solution comprises a minehunter, two USVs and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). While remaining at all times at a safe distance from the mine field, the minehunter or similar dedicated vessel will deploy and control the USVs, each programmed specifically to operate in mine fields. The USVs, in turn, will deploy AUVs, a smaller and completely autonomous type of subsea naval drone carrying sensors and robotic devices to detect and neutralise naval mines. On completing their mission, the AUVs return to the USVs and the USVs to the mother vessel.
With Espadon, DCNS, Thales and ECA will be the first team in the world to evaluate USVs deploying AUVs for full-scale mine countermeasures.
The Espadon studies will be shared in such a way as to ensure that each partner contributes its specific expertise in MCM.
In addition to acting as the lead contractor to the DGA for the overall project, DCNS is responsible for the USV platform and the interface with the mother vessel.
Thales is responsible for the USV, MCM outfitting and the sensor module, comprising an AUV and a towed sonar for mine detection, identification and location. Thales is also responsible for communications between the different components.
ECA is responsible for the design and development of the autonomous underwater vehicles, the AUV launch and recovery system and the USV remote control system.
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
Tekever unveils new swarm-controlling UAS
Tekever has manufactured the AR3, AR4 and AR5 UAS with all systems sharing common electronics and software architecture, which has enabled the reuse of ground segment elements within the new ARX UAS.
-
Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems
As the dynamics of aerial combat rapidly evolve, Chinese scientists have engineered a sophisticated air separation drone model that can fragment into up to six drones, each capable of executing distinct battlefield roles and challenging the efficacy of current anti-drone defences such as the UK’s Dragonfire laser system.
-
Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences
Advancements in air defence technologies have begun to reshape aerial combat dynamics in the Middle East, as illustrated by recent events involving the Israeli Air Force and Hezbollah.
-
Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way
Both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war have been using UAS for effective low-cost attacks, as well as impactful web and social media footage. Thousands more have now been committed to Ukrainian forces.
-
AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems
The US Army has intentions to develop light, medium and heavy variants of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) as part of the branche’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle family.