The PathMaster unmanned MCM can detect, localize, and neutralize naval mines.
In an interview with Naval News, Mathew Hunt, product line director for PathMaster MCM, explained the advantages that the system can bring to anti-mine operations.
“We can take care of mines without putting divers in harm’s way. Firstly, the synthetic aperture sonar, deployed from an unmanned surface vehicle scans its surroundings. Artificial intelligence then uses these images to detect any irregularities that may indicate the presence of a mine and identifies it. After this, the information is almost instantaneously sent to human operators who make the final call. Once a decision to neutralize the mine has been reached, an unmanned underwater vehicle is deployed to take care of the mine.” – PathMaster Product Line Director Mathew Hunt
According to Hunt, the system is four times more effective than legacy systems. Moreover, the system as designed for the French Navy can scan while sailing at between 8 and 11 knots, significantly faster than other MCM platforms. However, Hunt said the PathMaster can be tailored for the customer, with the MCM system itself capable of being integrated into other unmanned surface vehicles. This means that the exact specifications can be changed.
Hunt also expressed his views about the prospect of export to South Korea.
“Purchasing the PathMaster is a logical ‘next step’ for the ROKN. So far we have seen the ROKN invest on the platform level, developing unmanned vehicles for military uses. However, the ROKN has not yet acquired a system like the PathMaster which builds an entire system around an unmanned vehicle. It is likely they will move in that direction very soon.”
PathMaster Product Line Director Mathew Hunt
The ROKN has yet to issue a request for an advanced unmanned MCM system like the PathMaster. According to Hunt, however, the ROKN has already shown interest.
“A ROKN officer in charge of mine warfare expressed interest in our system following our pitch. He told us that the ROKN is currently in the process of developing the concept of operations for this type of platform.”
PathMaster Product Line Director Mathew Hunt
Hunt also claims that any country that acquires the PathMaster system, including South Korea, will play a major role in the production and maintenance of the system.
“We would love to work on this platform with any Korean companies. Since the onset of COVID-19, we’ve seen countries put a greater emphasis on local production. If South Korea does purchase the PathMaster, it will most likely be involved in the system itself. This may take the form of technology transfers or production and maintenance on a local level. For example, if South Korea purchases this platform, rather than send it all the way to us for maintenance, a local company could do the job instead. Just today, we signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea’s SonarTech. This means that cooperation with SonarTech will be likely if the ROKN purchases the PathMaster.”
PathMaster Product Line Director Mathew Hunt
In 2021, Naval News visited the Thales site in Brest and interviewed Thales MCM Chief Engineer Guy Le Bihan. The interview can be found here.
