"Next-generation" Royal Navy command centres for controlling drone ships on mine hunts to be set up

Technology hubs are being set up for personnel to control autonomous vessels that hunt sea mines. The aim is to keep sailors out of harms way while un-crewed systems detect and clear undersea ordnances.

This is a step towards the hybrid navy ambition, where conventional warships will be supplemented by various un-crewed capabilities. The Defence, Equipment and Support (DE&S) arm of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded Thales £10m to set up remote control centres (RCCs).

RCCs will allow personnel to quickly deploy command centres and control autonomous Mine Hunting Systems anywhere in the world. A similar set up aboard the Portsmouth-based experimental ship XV Patrick Blackett was shown to The News, where personnel were operating small Rattler-class boats using PlayStation controllers.

Andy Lapsley, MHC Team Leader at DE&S, said: “These next-generation Remote Command Centres will transform how the Royal Navy conducts mine countermeasures operations. This contract demonstrates the potential that can be released by harnessing the combined strengths of DE&S, the Royal Navy and our UK supply chain that is envisaged by the Defence Industrial Strategy.

“Delivering the flexibility, speed and operational advantage our sailors need is a crucial step on our journey towards the hybrid Navy and demonstrates the UK’s world-leading position in both Mine Counter Measures and maritime autonomous systems (MAS).”

The programme has been announced in light of the Atlantic Bastion project, where warships and autonomous capabilities will be deployed to the North Atlantic to protect undersea cables and other infrastructure.

This latest development will assist the Royal Navy’s Mine Counter Measures capability transformation, which is critical to national security, and builds on the Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) programme. With these new command centres, personnel will use AI-powered software to plan, control and analyse drone missions from ship to shore.

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Thales’ new system allows for multiple autonomous platforms to be controlled simultaneously to detect the initial threat of a mine in the sea and either neutralising that threat from a safe distance or avoiding it altogether.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, said: “The threat to the UK is growing, driven by global instability, Russian aggression, and a greater willingness of states and hostile actors to target our critical infrastructure. By embracing autonomous maritime technology, the Royal Navy is pioneering innovation to help keep our sailors safe at sea. This is backed by a UK defence industry delivering world-class capabilities that exemplify how defence acts as an engine for growth.”

Jon Reed-Beviere, Navy Command Programme Director, added: “The new Remote Command Centres will give Royal Navy personnel unprecedented command and control over our autonomous mine hunting systems. This integrated approach allows us to operate multiple unmanned platforms simultaneously and integrate new capability in the future, dramatically increasing our effectiveness whilst reducing risk to our sailors. It represents a paradigm shift in how we deliver mine countermeasures capability.”