Unmanned systems join mine warfare fray

Mine countermeasures is undergoing an operational and technological revolution. Fully automated robotic systems and unmanned vehicles are changing deployment doctrines and making MCM more accessible than ever.

Already acknowledged leaders in mine warfare, the French Navy and its contractors are pioneering the development of a new generation of fully automated robotic solutions. The prime aim is to keep personnel clear of the danger zone. To this end, unmanned vehicles are being designed to detect, classify, locate, identify, and then neutralise underwater threats.