OCCAR press release
OCCAR is proud to announce the delivery of the first MMCM System (Maritime Mine Counter Measures) to the UK.
The first milestone was reached in 2021 with the delivery of two prototypes/demonstrators to OCCAR Member States France and the UK shortly after its production launch. Industry, National Experts, Managers and OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation) 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 Royal Navy has been trained and is now ready to further develop this new concept, using this technology of drones remotely controlled from a Portable Operation Centre. This First Capability will allow the Royal 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.
Capability to conduct identification and then training of mine neutralisation at sea is also provided with the delivery of the dedicated Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).
OCCAR delivered the first MMCM System to France in December 2024.
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About MMCM (Maritime Mine Counter Measures)
France and the United Kingdom initiated a programme to assess and develop a “Maritime Mine Counter Measures” (MMCM) capability comprising unmanned systems operating remotely, at a stand-off distance from mother ships or, through a command and control centre, either on board ship or deployed ashore.
The objective of the MMCM programme is to deliver an agile, interoperable and robust MMCM capability. The programme will help to determine the options for replacing existing Mine Counter Measure Vessels when they retire from service and the life-cycle cost benefits of delivering mine counter measure capability in a new way.
Its stand-off concept is based on off-board capabilities aimed at keeping personnel outside minefields whenever possible. By defeating static underwater threats at pace, these systems will give strategic, operational and tactical freedom of manoeuvre and thereby assure the delivery of maritime force projection and maritime security at the time and place of the Nations’ choosing in support of a wide range of naval operations.
This bi-lateral programme was formally initiated under the Lancaster House Treaties between France and the United Kingdom in late 2010. In March 2015, OCCAR awarded a demonstration phase contract following a competitive tendering exercise. The contract was originally structured with:
- A firm tranche for Stage 1 (Study, Definition and Design Stage).
- Firm prices for two optional tranches (OTs):
- OT1 for Stage 2 (Manufacture of two systems) and Stage 3 (Qualification);
- OT2 for Stage 4 (for Support to Evaluation).
On 20 October 2016, the contract to proceed with Stages 2 and 3 was jointly announced by the United Kingdom and France. The announcement followed the successful completion of a 15 month-long study, definition and design stage. Stages 2 and 3 of the MMCM programme is the manufacture and qualification of two identical MMCM prototype/demonstrators. These autonomous off-board unmanned systems, deployed from the shore or at a stand-off distance from mother ships, will enable the detection and neutralisation of sea mines and underwater explosive devices. The MMCM programme also includes a stage 4 option for a two-year period of support for evaluation of the systems by the Marine nationale and Royal Navy.
At the France/United Kingdom Summit in January 2018, the French President and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom stated their intention to bring the system into operational service rapidly. The subsequent production stage (known as Stage II) has progressed rapidly and the formal ProgD and subsequent contract for both France and United Kingdom was signed in October 2020.
Stage II includes common and non-common development activities, manufacture of multiple systems, the delivery of a shore operation and training centre and includes various costed contractual options including In-Service Support (ISS).
