At the forefront of Maritime Autonomy in the UK

Shaping the evolution of Maritime Autonomy

Fast-tracking the Deployment of Novel Technologies through Operational Experimentation

Thales have contributed to successive international Uncrewed Systems UxS exercises, including the ‘Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping with Maritime Unmanned System (REPMUS)’, hosted by the Portuguese Navy, and sponsored by NATO. The exercises focus on UxS capability development, helping NATO navies achieve interoperability and interchangeability and establishing common communications/data infrastructure. 

Thales have contributed to various serials, spanning multiple mission threads. From protecting critical infrastructure, mine countermeasures (MCM), over-the-horizon autonomous MCM, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), multi-domain intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), amphibious battlefield preparation, and multi UxS command-and-control (C2).

Working with SMEs and academia

Thales is working hard to become a trusted partner for small and medium sized enterprises (SME) and academia, unlocking the potential of maritime autonomy and creating opportunities for everybody in a what remains a fragmented sector.

We recognise that SMEs provide agility and open innovation which complements the resources and access to markets and legislators that larger companies offer, particularly when barriers to entry inevitably arise. Thales has a long pedigree in technical innovation and excellence, overcoming challenges such as legislative compliance, security clearance and legal liability.

No one company can truly claim a monopoly on expertise, this is why we are encouraging and fostering collaboration through the development of an eco-system of knowledge and experience, with the ability to be agile and responsive to opportunities as they arise.

We are committed to fostering and developing academia, investing in sponsorship programmes and collaborative ventures. Our long-standing connections with Plymouth Council, Southampton University, Bristol University, the South Coast Marine Cluster, The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) and the University of Plymouth’s Marine Institute, sharing knowledge and expertise for mutual benefit.

Turnchapel Wharf: a centre of excellence in maritime autonomy

Continuing the long history Turnchapel Wharf has with the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Industry, Thales has created a UK Centre of Autonomy for the development, assessment and certification of autonomous systems at our new waterfront facility in Plymouth. Turnchapel Wharf is changing the way autonomous capability is developed by enabling rapid exploration and exploitation of emergent and disruptive technologies.

The UK Centre of Autonomy offers a secure location to conduct a full evaluation cycle for multi domain platforms. Its facilities include meeting rooms, office space and network services with adjacent water side facilities including secure, fully equipped workshops and storage, platform mooring for multiple craft including Thales’s autonomous capability development platform and rapid access to the water via a slip way.

Turnchapel Wharf has an enviable location affording trial teams rapid access to both shallow and deep water. This access increases actual trials time by decreasing transits and enabling progressive trials to be planned around differing sea conditions from sheltered shallow waters to deep open sea.

Turnchapel Wharf has been fitted out by Thales with the explicit requirement for the development, assessment and certification of maritime autonomy.

Challenges

There is no argument that maritime autonomy will be a force multiplier for navies globally.  However, accelerating the integration and deployment of uncrewed maritime systems will require industrial leadership, and Thales is committed to rising to that challenge.

Maritime forces worldwide face similar challenges: smarter, more agile and more widely dispersed adversaries in an increasingly congested environment. At the same time, they are coming under the conflicting pressures of increased tempo and reducing budgets, with constrained funding for autonomous systems. These can only be reconciled by more effective practices and unlocking new capabilities through technology and commercial practices. Equally, the same technology offers opportunities to potential adversaries and counter-UxS becoming more and more important.

The legislative environment is now catching up with autonomous vehicle technology and industry needs to work closely with all stakeholders to shape a workable legal framework for the future. We are working closely with the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Defence Maritime Regulator to develop best practice ensuring we are a responsible industry partner in MAS development.

Fulfilling the potential of maritime autonomy will be critical to maintaining and sustaining competitive advantage, however, simply possessing UxS will not suffice; forces must possess the most interoperable, integrated, resilient, secure and capable systems of systems that exist today and will be available tomorrow.

If UxS development becomes a race, Thales intends to be at the front.