Thales selected to deliver next-generation mine-hunting capability for the U.S. Navy ​

Thales’ subsidiary Advanced Acoustic Concepts (AAC), a U.S.-based provider of undersea warfare solutions, was awarded a $53.9 million U.S. Navy contract to produce and deliver two integrated Remote Mine Hunting (RMH) modules and accompanying engineering support. The award includes options for additional modules that could increase the total cumulative contract value to approximately $196.2 million.

The RMH solution supports the Navy’s Mine Countermeasures (MCM) mission through the proven “Find, Fix and Finish” approach to defeating mine threats. The capability enables sailors to remotely detect, locate and classify undersea mines, while operating from safer stand-off distances, enhancing mission effectiveness and reducing risk in contested maritime environments.

    “The ability to counter undersea mine threats remains fundamental to maritime security and naval mission success,” said Rob Geckle, CEO of Thales North America. “By advancing the Navy’s MCM capabilities, this program will help strengthen fleet readiness and support mission success in an increasingly dynamic operating environment.”

To deliver this capability, the Thales RMH solution integrates advanced sonar, mission management software and remotely operated vehicle technology into a module suite designed to support the Navy’s rapidly evolving mine warfare requirements.

The RMH module suite includes:

•     An advanced multiview towed Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS), providing high-resolution mine detection and imaging capabilities and reducing false target rates;


•     Advanced AI augmented Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) algorithms software applications that allow sailors to process, classify, map and manage mine-hunting data for rapid decision-making reducing the time to “find and fix”, while also increasing the probability of target certainty.

    “This program brings together the most advanced mine warfare technologies across the Thales portfolio, with AAC’s deep experience delivering integrated undersea warfare capability to the U.S. Navy,” said Mike Carnovale, President of Advanced Acoustic Concepts. “By integrating sonar, classification software and future remote neutralization capabilities into a single operational solution, we’re helping simplify mine hunting operations and accelerate the path from detection to action for both manned and unmanned surface vessel platforms.”

photo courtesy Thales