Against the exponential growth in unmanned platforms for maritime applications, Thales has set its goal to deliver this exciting and dynamic to our customers as an integrated capability. With proven solutions operating in the air, on the sea and underwater, gaining naval advantage through the application of Maritime Unmanned Systems is here today.
We partner with leading platform manufactures to deliver fully integrated systems – from sensor to mission system to effector. We are delivering a true system of systems approach from our unique market position.
Unmanned systems have a range of applications:
- Mine warfare
- Maritime surveillance
- Anti-submarine warfare
- Communication nodes
- Early warning
- Rapid response
- Search and rescue
Our teams have delivered a world-class autonomous mine countermeasures programme to the UK and French Navy that ensures people are kept out of the minefield. This step change for mine warfare is significantly improvement in the safety of personnel who are charge this dangerous but vitally important mission. Thales is now exploring how these system of systems can adapt to other roles and capabilities.
The develop of unmanned surface capability requires a wide range of skills and technology. Operating autonomously and remotely requires a different approach to system design. As leaders in sensors, communication and combat management systems, our integrated system of systems add new capability that offers efficiency and effectiveness.
Watchkeeper is a world-leading autonomous aircraft delivered to the UK that generates vital intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance support. Described as a step change in surveillance the dual payload platform offers wide area coverage and identification simultaneously.
With our UK customer, we have successfully demonstrated unmanned aircraft utility for maritime applications, operating from the coast, and sharing the intelligence to a number of maritime agencies for the purpose of sea security and safety.
Operating from the coast is not always possible for maritime missions. The ability to launch and recover from a ship is becoming norm for many navies worldwide. Working with recognised leaders in unmanned helicopters, our solutions are being used for a wide range applications. Most recent is deploying unmanned helicopters to provide temporary but robust communication nodes to operate acoustic buoys at range, in a wide formation and for long endurances.
In addition, a role-fit can see these unique platforms change mission rapidly, providing extended range and new capabilities for a wide range of naval vessels.
Thales is exploring new capabilities that make a suite of UxVs available to navies without waiting for new strategic ships to be available and with maximum availability. A UxV mothership which is fully autonomous or with a lean crew would be capability of launching a range of systems to support the fleet in blue ocean or operate in coastal waters.
This is developed against a true system of systems approach from Thales, fully integrated and interoperable with your naval fleet.
Unmanned systems offer a range of capabilities. For these to be both efficient and effective, integrating them into your existing operational capability is vital for the successful deployment of this exciting technology. Whether you plan to operate your unmanned systems from a ship, shore stations, aircraft or all of these, Thales provides data and control integration to mission systems and combat management systems through reliable and secure data links.
Our services also provide test and evaluation centres to ensure the end-to-end system is safe to operate and capability ready.