Breaking News
Euronaval 2024: French Navy enhances deep-sea surveillance with AUV A6K for 6000m anti-mine operations.
Presented at Euronaval 2024, the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) A6K represents a significant leap forward in anti-mine warfare and deep-sea monitoring for the French Navy. Developed by Thales and Exail as part of the SLAM-F program (future anti-mine warfare system), the AUV A6K is designed to meet the Navy’s stringent requirements for effective and discreet underwater threat response. Its compact structure and high performance allow it to operate with minimal detection while achieving precise and efficient underwater mine detection.
A critical aspect of the A6K is its propulsion system, which enables quiet and fluid movements to avoid detection in hostile zones. It can maintain a fixed position near the seabed, which is crucial for precise data collection and mine clearance operations (Picture source: Army Recognition)
The A6K is distinguished by its technical capacities, tailored for demanding operational environments. It boasts a 12-hour battery life and can descend to 300 meters, covering extensive areas during missions. Equipped with high-resolution sonar and multi-angle imaging technology, the AUV ensures thorough and detailed mapping of the seabed. An advanced military-grade geolocation system, secured with SECRET-level encryption, enhances operational security, safeguarding data collected and reducing interception risks. With dimensions of 5 meters in length and a diameter of 47 cm, weighing 500 kg, it is agile and deployable across various anti-mine and surveillance missions.
A critical aspect of the A6K is its propulsion system, which enables quiet and fluid movements to avoid detection in hostile zones. It can maintain a fixed position near the seabed, which is crucial for precise data collection and mine clearance operations. The absence of cabling ensures complete autonomy and discretion, allowing for independent operation over extended periods. These attributes make the AUV A6K highly versatile and robust, suitable for safeguarding strategic infrastructure such as communication cables and oil and gas pipelines or conducting detailed mapping and reconnaissance in challenging underwater environments.
In September 2024, the Direction générale de l’armement (DGA), supported by the Secrétariat général pour l’investissement (SGPI), selected Exail to develop the AUV A6K under the strategic France 2030 investment plan. This project, part of the broader “mastery of the deep-sea” program (MFM), aims to secure French underwater infrastructure and ensure naval freedom of movement. The AUV A6K’s development aligns with France’s commitment to achieving deep-sea mastery, encompassing exploration and protection of critical marine zones and reinforcing autonomy in strategic domains. This initiative also integrates civil and military uses, as outlined in the French Ministry of Armed Forces’ 2022 deep-sea control strategy.
The A6K’s design benefits from Exail’s collaboration with Ifremer, particularly in building on their Ulyx model. Equipped with advanced sonars and high-endurance batteries, the A6K-M variation will operate seamlessly from French Navy support and assistance vessels (BSAM) and is compatible with A400M transport for rapid deployment. Designed for both strategic defense applications and potential civil use cases, such as pipeline inspection and resource exploration, this new generation AUV can withstand extreme pressures at depths of up to 6,000 meters. This resilience is attributed to a titanium-protected electronic core, which maintains optimal performance under the immense pressure of 600 bars at these depths.
With the AUV A6K, Exail and Thales respond directly to the Navy’s growing needs for autonomous underwater capabilities. As the first of its kind within the French fleet, this advanced AUV may attract international interest from navies seeking robust deep-sea surveillance solutions, marking a step forward for French expertise in underwater robotics.