Thales signs research collaboration MoU
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Flinders University in South Australia, ENSTA Bretagne and Thales that will see the organisations work together on advanced sonar and naval robotics technologies for Australia’s future submarine programme.
ENSTA Bretagne is a graduate and post-graduate engineering school and research institute in Brest, France.
The MoU will open opportunities for closer collaboration with Thales research laboratories, and will provide a long term framework for collaboration in naval robotics applicable to both submarine and surface ship sonars including opportunities to share testing facilities, operate exchange programmes and facilitate joint research projects.
Two topics for research collaboration have been identified so far: one for the design of a demonstrator for the automatic connection of electro-optical links in a maritime environment and secondly for the development of USV test vehicles suitable to test autonomy algorithms on robotic swarms at sea.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![‘Now Europe is a market’: Fincantieri sees new opportunities closer to home]()
‘Now Europe is a market’: Fincantieri sees new opportunities closer to home
Fincantieri naval vessels chief Eugenio Santagata spoke to Shephard about opportunities and how they sit within a portfolio backed by a “strong backlog”, as Euronaval 2026 unfolded.
-
![Kongsberg Maritime and Thales UK team on Arctic Hunter Type 92 proposal]()
Kongsberg Maritime and Thales UK team on Arctic Hunter Type 92 proposal
The Norwegian company says a commercial hull, proven sonar and a British yard could deliver uncrewed submarine hunters by the end of the decade, but the Royal Navy has not yet set a requirement or timeline.
-
![US Navy weighs “Super Intelligence” role in designing a quieter SSN(X) attack submarine]()
US Navy weighs “Super Intelligence” role in designing a quieter SSN(X) attack submarine
NAVSEA is exploring AI-assisted design for a larger, stealthier submarine with increased weapons capacity and uncrewed-system integration, with lead-boat procurement envisaged from 2040.
-
![ST Engineering makes Euronaval debut with MRV European export campaign]()
ST Engineering makes Euronaval debut with MRV European export campaign
A six-ship home order, agreements with Saab, Naval Group and Babcock and spare yard capacity underpin the group’s first Euronaval bid for smaller European navies.
