The SLAM-F program (known as MMCM in the UK), is the result of a Franco-British cooperation and is part of the Lancaster House military agreements (2010).
OCCAR press release
OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation) is proud to announce the delivery of the first MMCM System to France. This is the beginning of a new story in the art of underwater mine disposal. The first milestone was reached in 2021 with the delivery of two prototypes / demonstrators to France and the UK shortly after its production launch. Industry, National Experts, Managers and OCCAR faced a number of challenges during the development of this cutting-edge technology, which will ultimately allow the rapid destruction of sea mines in a more cost effective and safer manner than in the past, successfully avoiding human intervention during dangerous operations.
The French Navy (Marine Nationale) has been trained and is now ready further develop this new concept, using this technology of drones remotely controlled from a Portable Operation Centre. This First Capability will allow the French Navy to conduct operations in complex environments including uncrewed sonar survey missions up to sea state 4 to maintain precise mapping of the sea floor.
-End-
About SLAM-F program
The SLAM-F program will replace all legacy mine warfare platforms (Tripartite-class mine hunters, sonar towing vessels, diver support vessels). The SLAM-F program will help secure the deployment of the French Navy’s strategic units (nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines and aircraft carrier) and protect access to French ports. It can also support the deployment of a naval action force, secure the evacuation of nationals by sea, participate in crisis prevention or intervene in a contested environment.
This first part of the SLAM-F program (known as MMCM in the UK), is the result of a Franco-British cooperation and is part of the Lancaster House military agreements (2010). The contract for the design, development and production of the prototypes (one per country) was signed in March 2015 between Thales and OCCAR on behalf of the two countries.
Each SLAM-F system is composed of two USVs, one equipped with a towed sonar and the other with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), and two autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV), responsible for detecting, classifying and locating mines. The remotely operated robot (MUMMS by Saab) is used to identify and neutralize mines. Exail, a Thales subcontractor, produces the AUVs equipped with Thales sonars. The AUV were initially A-27. But these dated systems will be replaced by the newly procured A-18M.
SLAM-F also includes the E-POC: Expeditionary MCM Solution for the French Navy. Thales’s e-POC demonstrator is an easily transportable solution that will ultimately enable the French Navy to deploy underwater drones for mine countermeasures missions in any theatre of operations. It will provide a flexible mission management capability from outside the zone of operations, helping to keep naval personnel out of harm’s way. Thales e-POC comes in a small form-factor (akin to a large laptop with 3 screens) that is easily transportable. It will allow naval operators to control up to three mine warfare drones. Naval News learned that the French Navy mine warfare flotilla plans to use e-POC from RHIBs.
The French Navy is set to take delivery of 8 SLAMF modules by 2030 as well as 6 MCM motherships for UAV/USV/UUV known as “bâtiments de guerre des mines” (BGDM) and 5 EOD divers support vessels known as “bâtiments base plongeurs démineurs nouvelle generation” (BBPD NG).
