Royal IHC to adapt subsea mining crawler technology for mine-hunting duties

Royal IHC is partnering with France's Elwave to enhance naval mine countermeasure (MCM) capabilities under the EU-funded European "extended mine countermeasures" programme.

At the core of the collaboration is a seabed crawler equipped with Elwave’s Octopulse sensor, powered by biomimicry-based "controlled electric detection and fanging" technology, inspired by electric-sensing fish.

The system can detect and characterise both insulating and conducting objects in sediment, both in coastal zones and deep offshore zones.

"This system enhances mine detection and classification, even in challenging conditions such as high acoustic noise, electromagnetic interference, or poor visibility," said Royal IHC.

Royal IHC will provide the subsea crawler technology, with knowledge gained in underwater mining. The sensing system enables real-time detection of mines, UXO, cables, and seabed structures.

"Partnering with Royal IHC presents Elwave an opportunity to integrate our sensors into one of the most robust seabed crawlers in the world, enabling even greater achievements," said Gary Bagot, Sales Director at Elwave.

The "extended mine countermeasures" programme is co-funded by the European Defence Fund (EDF).