Robot vessels take on mine-hunting duties in dangerous waters

Navies are using uncrewed boats and underwater robots to hunt for sea mines in dangerous waters, including the Strait of Hormuz.

Mines can lie on the seabed or move through the water, and some are designed to blend into their surroundings.

They can damage ships and even the threat of mines can stop tankers from sailing.

A system developed by Thales, the Royal Navy and France’s navy uses sonar and AI to scan the seabed and build a detailed picture.

Compared with traditional mine-hunting vessels, robot systems can reduce the number of people exposed to danger and need fewer personnel.

They can also be deployed by air, and some systems can destroy a mine while others mark it as an area to avoid.

The Royal Navy plans a hybrid fleet of drones and warships, with future systems expected to analyse more data while operating at sea.