• Thales Australia and Flinders University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the automation of Launch and Recovery Systems for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs).
• This collaboration will develop sovereign technologies and capabilities that are instrumental in supporting the Royal Australian Navy’s safety doctrine of ‘keeping the person out of the minefield.’
• This MOU strengthens the existing partnership between Thales and Flinders University on a range of transformational technology projects including naval robotics.

Thales Australia and Flinders University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to conduct a study into the development of an automation system for the launch and recovery process of the General Dynamics Mission Systems Bluefin 9, procured by the Royal Australian Navy under its Deployable Mine Counter Measures project.

Current launch and recovery processes for AUVs require human involvement in the deployment of the AUV from an Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV); through either direct placement and retrieval from the water or activation from the platform. This collaboration will determine how best to increase the safety for navy personnel by removing ’the person from the mission’ through an end-to-end automation process.

“The concept of Automatic Launch and Recovery Systems from a USV would revolutionise the current method of deployment.” Thales Underwater Systems Director, Troy Stephen said.

“Not only would it completely remove the person from the minefield but it could eliminate many of the current limitations of Unmanned Underwater Vessels (UUV) such as transit time, battery drain, communications and mission risk. The autonomation of this process will provide a significant enhancement to the Navy's capability”

In this study, Thales Australia will act as the design authority, working with key stakeholders to ensure that all capability and safety requirements are being met to allow Royal Australian Navy personnel to execute their mission safely.

Flinders University (flinders.edu.au), world leaders in marine environments and autonomy, and a key academic partner in the recently announced $15 million TAS-CRC project, will provide subject matter expertise to investigate potential concepts for the Automatic Launch and Recovery System from a USV.

“As a research leader in autonomous marine vehicle systems, we look forward to contributing to strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence capabilities by developing and applying advanced imaging, guidance and control technology for unmanned underwater vehicles engaged in mine counter measure activities. This will open the way to keeping manned vessels and personnel out of dangerous minefields.”
Professor Robert Saint, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Flinders University

“This study is an important step forward in Navy’s transition towards autonomy; particularly in the field of mine countermeasures with its defined phases of Detection, Classification, Identification and Neutralisation. The complexity of this shift requires genuine partnership and collaboration between Defence, Industry and Academia and we’re pleased to be working with Flinders University on this crucial study.”
Troy Stephen, Director Underwater Systems, Thales Australia

About Thales in Australia

Thales in Australia (thalesgroup.com.au) is a trusted partner of the Australian Defence Force and is also present in commercial sectors ranging from air traffic management and ground transport systems to security systems and services. Employing around 3,600 people, Thales in Australia recorded revenues of more than A $1.49 billion in 2019 and export revenue of over A$1.6 billion in the past 10 years.

Thales Australia has a history of patient investment to build advanced in-country capability across manufacturing, critical systems and services. Close collaborative relationships with local customers, Australian SME suppliers and research institutions combined with technology transfer from our global business enables Thales to tailor high quality solutions for Australian and export markets.