Thales has secured a contract from ST Engineering to deliver its Pathmaster mine countermeasures system to the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).
Pathmaster will be integrated into ST Engineering’s unmanned surface vehicles to help Singapore's navy detect, classify, and localise underwater mines in real-time in the region’s straits.
At the core of the Pathmaster is M-Cube, a mission planning and execution tool that receives real-time marine environmental data and mission objectives as well as integrates artificial intelligence (AI) to assist in goal-based planning and provides the end user a complete view of the operating area. It also uses Towed Synthetic Aperture Sonar and MiMap, a mission analysis platform that processes sonar data from towed sensors and autonomous underwater vehicles to map underwater threats.
Thales will also provide tools to manage mine databases and library. When coupled with AI, it will facilitate target detection and identification, easing the workload of operators.
The system will be supported locally by the Thales Singapore Defence Hub, which will provide maintenance and application development services to ensure interoperability with existing RSN systems.
“The Pathmaster system contributes towards the RSN’s vision for an autonomous suite of unmanned mine countermeasure capabilities, offering enhanced operational awareness, while reinforcing the safety of their personnel,” says Emily Tan, CEO and country director of Thales in Singapore.
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She adds: “With the support of the Thales Singapore Defence Hub, Thales strengthens its position as a key supplier to the Navy, having successfully delivered multiple radars in the past for major vessel programmes. Today, we are excited to take it a step further by providing the forefront of mine countermeasures solutions to support Singapore as it safeguards the nation’s maritime routes.”
While this Pathmaster contract is the first for Thales in Asia, the solution is already in service with the British Royal Navy and the French Navy.
