The UK has doubled down on its pursuit of unmanned mine countermeasure (MCM) capabilities with a £184 million ($245 million) investment into the joint Maritime Mine Counter Measure (MMCM) programme with France.
In a release on 26 November, the UK government stated that following successful Phase 3 demonstrations and trials in October this year, the contract will produce three MCM capability sets.
Each set will comprise a USV host platform, the SAMDIS towed array sonar, and an ROV for use as a mine neutralisation system. When combined, these three elements will be known as the Primary System, and is designed to potentially replace conventional crewed mine hunting vessels, such as the current Sandown- and Hunt-class MCMVs.
Industry partners Thales, ECA Group, L3Harris and Saab will now work towards delivering the first sets in late 2022, which will then commence Stage 4 operational evaluation prior to entering service with the Royal Navy.
It is possible that the recently announced Type 32 frigate will have an MCM role of its own, potentially acting as a mothership for the MMCM.
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