Atlas Elektronik to deliver further autonomous minehunter to RN
RMNB Harrier. (Photo: Atlas Elektronik UK)
The Mine Hunting Capability office in UK MoD Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) has contracted Atlas Elektronik UK to deliver a further Atlas Remote Combined Influence Minesweeping System (ARCIMS) uncrewed Minehunting system to the RN.
The USV, RNMB Hydra, will complement four existing ARCIMS: Hussar, Halycon, Harrier and Hazard.
Hydra will be equipped with Sense and Avoid autonomy, a launch and recovery system and towed side-scan sonar.
C2 will be provided by a Portable Command Centre combining UXV autonomy software with Seebyte planning and analysis software.
Hydra will be delivered to the RN by late 2022, ahead of operational evaluation in 2023.
In 2021, Raytheon Technologies and Atlas Elektronik UK partnered to demonstrate an advanced minehunting capability blending the former's AQS-20C advanced sonar and the latter's ARCIMS USV to the RN.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
First made-in-Finland US Coast Guard Arctic Security Cutter to be delivered in 2028
The first Arctic Security Cutter will be built by Rauma Marine Constructions to be deployed in the US Arctic waters.
-
Is the US Navy’s Golden Fleet initiative achievable?
The effort to provide the US Navy with Trump-class battleships might face financial, production and doctrinal obstacles.
-
Will the US Navy surge production for OTH-WS missile?
The USN is conducting a market search seeking additional sources capable of supplying 516 units of Over the Horizon – Weapons System Encanistered Missiles.
-
Maritime defence in the Mediterranean faces challenges from vulnerable land power
As an indispensable energy crossroads, the Mediterranean is at serious risk from grey zone disruption. As navies increasingly employ AI data centres, what happens when cutting-edge defence technologies rely on the very infrastructure most susceptible to hybrid tactics?