In A First, UK Navy To Deploy Crewless Minesweeping System In Dangerous Waters

The Royal Navy has officially accepted a new autonomous mine hunting system called SWEEP into service, allowing it to detect and destroy naval mines without sending sailors into dangerous waters. This is the first time the Royal Navy can use crewless equipment for minesweeping operations.

The SWEEP system includes an uncrewed surface vessel and advanced remote-controlled equipment. It operates on the surface and is designed to detect and safely detonate mines quickly. The system is operated remotely, keeping personnel safe from danger.

According to the Royal Navy’s Mine & Threat Exploitation Group, this new system restores a capability the Royal Navy has not had since 2005, remotely dealing with sophisticated naval mines. These modern mines are often harder to detect using sonar.

A Royal Navy commander explained that using such technology remotely, without risking human life, is a key part of the Navy’s Mine Hunting Capability Programme. He added that the acceptance of SWEEP is a big step, and the Navy will now begin training, testing, and checking the system before it is fully used in operations.

The SWEEP system was developed and built in the UK by TKMS Atlas UK Ltd, a company based in Dorset that was previously known as Atlas Elektronik UK. The development was part of a £25 million contract.

The system uses modern technology to defeat digital sea mines, which are designed to detect and target nearby ships and submarines. SWEEP can mimic a ship’s signature, fooling these mines into detonating away from real vessels. It also includes a “sense and avoid” capability, allowing it to operate safely alongside other autonomous systems like the Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) system and SeaCat Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles.

A senior official from the Royal Navy’s Mine Hunting Capability Programme said that receiving the first fully autonomous minesweeping system is a major change. The system is flexible, portable, and can be operated from both land and sea, offering strong protection against modern threats and improving the safety of naval personnel.

A team leader from the Mine Hunting Capability project at Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) said these three SWEEP systems will strengthen the Royal Navy’s ability to handle the growing threat of naval mines.

The manufacturer, TKMS Atlas UK, expressed pride in seeing the systems enter service. The company’s managing director said the minesweeping system is a result of many years of collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and is a product of UK-based innovation.

Reference: Royal Navy

Source: Maritime Shipping News