ECA Group Provides Reliable Unmanned Solutions for Naval Forces

For over 70 years,ECA Group has developed comprehensive solutions designed forsea-, air-and land-based operationsfor defence, homeland security and special forces. 

ECA Group offers combat-proven customized and integrated solutions, currently in servicein French and foreign forces for surveillance, detection, inspection, rapid response and counteraction missions. Equipped with the highest performance sensorsand software, ECA Group’s unmanned systems are the basis for delivering turnkey integrated solutions to rapidly and efficiently identify and neutralize risks. 

ECA Group solutions are based on the use of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) and remotely-operated underwater vehicles (ROV) equipped with cameras and articulated arms that conduct underwater surveillance and response missions. Surface operations can be led by an unmanned surface or aerial vehicle for detection, inspection and response, according to the vehicle’s configuration.

ECA Group also offers a range ofsimulation solutions for training operatorsand crew in naval tactics and navigation using both underwater and surface vehicles, surface ship and submarine training simulators.

The future of minewarfare

As asymmetrical and unconventional threats, sea mines are one of the major concerns for defence forces missions. Having caused most of the damage to naval ships since World War II,mines are the most persistent threatsfaced bynaval forces. Each year, the French Navy neutralizes over 2.000 underwater explosive devices. Over 20 mine-warfare forces, including the Turkish Navy, have relied on ECA Group’s PAP vehicles for mine disposal over the past decades.

In the mine-warfare domain, ECA Group offers a wide range ofinnovative and cost-effective solutions for detection, classification, location, identification, and neutralization of underwater mines. 

Globally recognised thanks to their combat-proven PAP system and to several decades of experience in underwater mine warfare and robotics, ECA Group has developedfor French and foreign navies the future of underwater minewarfare based on the use ofunmanned systems for mine detection anddisposalwhich can be further complemented witha mine-warfare data centre andranging systems.

ECA Group offers specialised solutionsbased on the waterdepth where the mine-warfare activity will be conducted:

Invery shallow waters,ECA Group solutionrecommends the use of theINSPECTOR unmanned surface vessel (USV) that can befitted with a towed side-scan sonar and a hull-mounted sonar installed on a patented rotary bow arm. Designed to have low magnetic and acoustic signatures, INSPECTOR provides real-time data through a high-data-rate radio link.It is also able to deploy underwater vehicles for both mine identification and neutralization thanks to an accurate dynamic positioning system. Able to work in 3 different modes (manned, remote and autonomous), naval forces can adapt the USV’s mission in order to ensure safe operations at sea for their personnel.In case of covert operations, an AUV such as the A9 can also be used in very shallow waters.

For shallow to deep waters, the use ofan autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) is the best solution forcarrying out mine-warfare missions. Compared to traditionalmine-hunters, an AUV is able to bring the sonar close to the seafloorto ensure accurate and high-resolution surveys. ECA Group’s AUVs dedicated to underwater mine warfarehave low acoustic and magnetic signatures in order to comply with NATO STANAG 1364. Also equipped with anobstacle-avoidance sonar and on-board intelligence systems for obstacle management, the AUV is able to safely fulfil its mission. These AUVscan even be deployed from USVs developed by ECA Group, using a sea-proven LARS to carry out long-range detection and classification.  

Mission planning and post-processing data rely on the proven Tritonmine-countermeasure (MCM) software suite. Rapid data review and target acquisition can be performed manually on a spectral waterfall,or using high-resolution mosaics able to display additional geo-registered mission data; or by using the computer-aided detection (CAD) module. Advanced, semi-automated target enhancement, analysis, measurement, computer-aided classification (CAC), and reporting tools are also provided. 

ECA Group’sEODIS mine-warfare data centre,already currently in service inseveral foreign navies,lets you easilyprepare, manage and process the data gathered during mine-warfare missions. 

The PAP Mine Disposal System can also be used for underwater mine identification and neutralization. The PAP Mk6 version integrates the most recent technological developments in terms of propulsion, energy source, electronics and sensors.

Underwater mine identification and disposal can also be conducted using ECA Group’sExpendable Mine Disposal System (EMDS) K-STER. K-STER, as with all PAP vehicles, complies withSTANAG 1364 and is capable of carrying out mine-neutralization missionswith no need to recover it. K-STER uses a specially-shaped charge,filled with an insensitive explosive,fitted inside a “tiltable” head that can accurately aim the charge to neutralise the mine.

With its experience and expertise gained over the past 40 years in the underwater mine warfare field, ECA Group has also developed a range of solutions to reduce the risk of surface ships and submarines against underwater mines: 

Deperming systems

Degaussing systems

Multi-influence ranges

Unmanned solutions for hydrography: force multiplier and performing solutions

ECA Group also offers a wide range of solutions dedicated to hydrographic and oceanographic usesas well as forrapid environmental assessment (REA). Working for French institutes (hydrographic and research services) and foreign forces, ECA Group has developed many sea-proven solutions to successfully achieve military or civil operational missions.

ECA Group’s range ofunmanned vehicles (underwater or surface) use the same technology as for mine-countermeasure (MCM) operations and are capable to conduct covertsurvey and cartography operations from a mother ship orfrom the shore. 

The AUVs deploy high-resolution sonar systems such as Multi Beam Echo Sounders (MBES) or Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Sonar (ISAS) close to the seafloor for high-end performance, free from water-column constraints (thermocline, turbidity, etc). They are also capable of performing on-the-fly data collection using oceanographic sensors (O², fluorometer, pH, etc.). The performance of these systemsmeets the highest requirements of international hydrographic standards (IHO special order 44). INSPECTOR USV can be fitted with several sensors including MBES, SSS or SBP either on the bow,hull or towed and can operate in 3 modes (manned, remote and autonomous) to achieve regular, accurate and crew-safe operations.ECA Group also offers a range of solutions based on the use of remotely-operated vehicles(ROVs) or hybrid AUV/ROVs for close visual inspections or light underwater works.

With a global reputation for effective and reliable systems, as well as theirfirst-class customer support, ECA Group is renowned for its strong presence in the naval forces and is able to offer innovative solutions to help and support navies facing today’s challenges and threats.