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UK Picks Thales to Build AI Remote Command Centres for Royal Navy Mine Countermeasures

The initial £10 million phase launches a containerised, AI-enabled hub intended to shift mine clearance away from crewed minehunters.

Overview

  • Defence Equipment and Support awarded an initial £10 million Autonomous Remote Command Centre contract with scope to expand to about £100 million as the capability matures.
  • Thales will start by delivering two containerised hubs able to command uncrewed assets from ships or shore while keeping sailors out of mined waters.
  • The centres are built around the M‑Cube mission management suite paired with Mi‑Map for AI‑based automatic target recognition, with development supported by the cortAIx accelerator.
  • The architecture integrates unmanned surface vessels, autonomous underwater vehicles and sensor packages into a single system of systems with a common operating picture.
  • The programme advances the UK Hybrid Navy concept and, according to Thales, will support more than 200 skilled roles in Somerset and Plymouth.