The adoption of Maritime Autonomous Systems (MAS) is a priority across all major navies and one of the leading areas for early fielding is in mine-countermeasures (MCM). This paper sets out how the DE&S Mine Hunting Capability team is managing the integration of a range of different MAS systems to deliver a key UK capability. The paper will show how MHC is building on the work undertaken within the Dstl Maritime Autonomous Platform Exploitation (MAPLE) to establish a flexible and adaptable core architecture, underpinned by MOD controlled interfaces and open standards. The paper will also touch on the work of MHC industry partners to design, develop and demonstrate progress in the implementation of this architecture and the programme of experimentation, using an MHC Digital Lab, to ensure active end-user shaping of the forward programme. Lastly, the paper will set out how developments within MHC, fielding a new generation of integrated Remote Command Centres, are relevant to the Royal Navy’s broader MAS programme and the related opportunities for evolution and scaling.
