UK accepts MHC Block 1 minesweeping systems
The ARCIMS USV platform RNMB Halcyon operating with an MHC Sweep package – including three coil auxiliary boats – in Portland harbour. (Richard Scott/NAVYPIX)
TKMS Atlas UK – previously known as Atlas Elektronik UK (AEUK) – has delivered three new unmanned surface vehicle (USV)-based minesweeping systems acquired for the UK Royal Navy (RN) under the Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) Block 1 programme.
Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) formally accepted the MHC Sweep systems from Atlas UK on 24 June. A handover event was held at the company's Bincleaves site on the south coast of England the following day.
The MHC programme is designed to deliver the RN a next-generation mine-countermeasures (MCM) capability based on what it terms scalable offboard ‘system of systems' packages that will be capable of executing MCM operations in both home waters and overseas. The overarching aim of the programme is to exploit advances in autonomy, sensors, and data processing to increase the tempo of MCM, improve survey product, enhance the transportability of MCM systems through modularisation, and remove crews from the mine danger area.
What was AEUK was in late 2020 awarded a GBP25 million (USD34 million) manufacture contract by DE&S for three MHC Sweep Block 1 payload systems operable with the company's own 11 m ARCIMS (Atlas Remote Combined Influence Minesweeping System) USV design (five of which are in RN service under the names RNMB Hazard, RNMB Halcyon, RNMB Hussar, RNMB Hydra, and RNMB Harrier
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