German Navy to equip Frankenthal-class minesweepers with SeaCat autonomous underwater vehicles.

On October 20, 2023, the German Armed Forces entered into an agreement to outfit their Frankenthal-class minesweepers with autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) of the SeaCat type. The contract for this endeavor has been awarded to the German company ATLAS Elektronik GmbH, who will be responsible for delivering a total of four autonomous underwater reconnaissance drones and ensuring their seamless integration into the minesweepers.
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The SeaCat Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) incorporates the SwapHead technology, allowing for quick and adaptable exchange of user-defined payloads. (Picture source: German MoD)

The agreement also includes necessary adaptations to the existing training and testing facility, with the flexibility to procure additional drones on short notice as required. This decision came after receiving approval from the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag and was formalized through the signing of the purchase agreement by the President of the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology, and Utilization of the German Armed Forces (BAAINBw). The project, scheduled to commence in 2024, will be financed through the special fund allocated for the German Armed Forces.

It is anticipated that the first drone will be delivered by the end of 2024, with the integration process already in progress for the initial minesweeper. By mid-2026, the German Armed Forces will have access to four drones, an adapted training and testing facility in Kiel, spare parts, and various container modules. These drones employ high-resolution sonars (Synthetic Aperture Sonar - SAS) to search the seabed for potentially hazardous objects at depths of up to 300 m, offering a significant increase in area search capabilities compared to a class 332 minesweeper without drone deployment.

The Frankenthal class, designated as the class 332, has been in active service with the German Navy since 1992, featuring a total of 12 vessels. These ships were constructed between 1990 and 1998, with dimensions including a length of 54.4 m, a width of 9.2 m, and a maximum draft of 2.6 m. They are powered by two diesel engines with a combined output of 4,480 kW, allowing them to attain a maximum speed of 18 knots. In terms of armament, these vessels are equipped with a single 2.7 cm naval gun, and two FIM-92 Stinger missile systems, and have the capacity to transport up to 20 sea mines. Over the years, various modifications and upgrades have been carried out with the aim of enhancing their mine-clearance capabilities, including the integration of the "Seefuchs" mine disposal system.

The SeaCat Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) boasts a modular design that enables customization to meet specific mission requirements. Its capabilities encompass conducting hydrographic surveys, providing real-time data transmission for immediate point-of-interest inspection, and inspecting the interior of water supply ducts. The SeaCat also incorporates the SwapHead technology, allowing for quick and adaptable exchange of user-defined payloads.

The SeaCat AUV offers an array of available SwapHead configurations, including Survey Head ONE with an R2 Sonic Multi-beam echo sounder, Survey Head Mk TWO with a NORBIT Wideband Multi-beam Sonar and a video camera, Survey Head Mk FOUR with a G882 Magnetometer, a Sub-bottom Profiler, a NORBIT Wideband Multi-beam Sonar, and a video camera. Additionally, SeaCat provides various other Inspection Heads for different mission requirements, such as the Inspection Head AUV, Water Quality Head, Tunnel Inspection Head, Inspection Head ROV, Geomagnetic Head, and Subbottom Head, making it adaptable to a wide range of underwater missions.

The SeaCat AUV features a diameter of 325mm, a length that varies from approximately 2500 to 3500 mm (depending on payload and battery options), a width of 576 mm, and a height of 670 mm (including antennas). The AUV's weight in air ranges from approximately 130 to 220 kg, contingent on the configuration, and it can achieve a maximum speed of over 6 knots while operating within a depth range of 2 m to 600 m.

Frankenthal-class minehunter Bad Rappenau (Picture source: Flickr)