ECA Group demonstrates its Unmanned Maritime Systems (UMS) for Mine Counter Measures (MCM)

Organized by GICAN, in presence of numerous media partners, ECA Group participated in the Euronaval press trip which took place in Paris and Toulon from 19 to 22 September 2016. At this occasion, ECA Group presented  its latest Unmanned Maritime Systems offer for mine counter measures (MCM) missions. For more than forty years, ECA Group focused robust R&D efforts in developing systems of robots dedicated to Underwater Mine Warfare. ECA investments paid off because the company is in a good position today to propose its own fully integrated UMS suite. ECA Group robots are optimized to successfully perform the three MCM tasks of the “mine hunting” concept facing asymmetric threat and new environment.

The MCM Detection and Classification tasks are performed by a man portable AUV: A9-M. The A9-M is a light-weight and man-portable AUV dedicated to Mine Warfare. Its advanced design enables the vehicle to operate in the mine fields without the risks to detonate a mine thanks to its very low level of acoustic and magnetic signatures. Fitted with a high resolution sonar, the A9-M provides an accurate seabed imagery enabling the operator to detect and classify mine like objects.
The MCM Identification & Neutralization tasks are respectively performed by SEASCAN Mk2 and K-STER C equipped with their own set of batteries and remotely controlled through a fiber optic cable, both deployed from the INSPECTOR MK2 USV. The EMDS K-STER C is fitted with a shaped charge in a “tiltable head” to aim at the target. Its unique architecture ensures second to none performances in terms of conducted from its Launch phase to the tilt warhead fire phase by the INSPECTOR MK2 USV controlled by an operator from a “mother ship” or even from the shore as we are doing today.

Besides the live demonstration, the IT180 VTOL UAV and H300 ROV were presented on a static display. IT180 is a very unique mini UAV already in service with several ArmedForces used for convoy scooting, intelligence gathering, etc. IT180 shall be deployed also from naval vessels, and used for various sub-missions such as target identification, radio relay, and magnetic signature measurements.

Last but not least, H300 ROV is an electric ROV. Larger models H1000 and H2000 are in service within the French Navy and operated for search & recovery operations, underwater inspections ECA ROV’s are rated between 300 to 2,000m, can be deployed from a tethered cage or directly from any surface vessel, can be fitted with 5 or 7 axis manipulator arms.

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