Thales signs agreement with MSubs
Thales has signed an agreement with MSubs for the design, manufacture and operation of manned and unmanned submersibles at its new maritime autonomy centre at Turnchapel Wharf in Plymouth, UK.
Thales opened the Turnchapel facility in October 2018 in order to develop an ecosystem of autonomous specialists and experts around Plymouth, bringing together industry and academia at a research and development facility for the benefit of UK industry.
Turnchapel provides access to the Plymouth Marine Autonomous Range that will be central for the safe trials and development of autonomous systems. The centre is also an integral part of a joint programme between the UK and French governments to develop the next generation of autonomous mine hunting systems.
Paddy Dowsett, programme manager, MSubs, said: ‘We are excited about the prospect of working closely with Thales as the role of military unmanned underwater vehicles expands into deeper water. We look forward to combining our unrivalled experience in the design and manufacture of manned and unmanned military submersibles with their market leading expertise in sensors and command and control systems.
‘Together we are well placed to support the Royal Navy and NATO partners with a range of unmanned underwater vehicles capable of conducting sophisticated and discreet anti-submarine and intelligence gathering missions.’
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