Apollo, equipped with a towed synthetic aperture sonar, was deployed from the SD Northern River, a commercial vessel. The test demonstrated its ability to detect exercise mines in challenging conditions, showcasing its operational potential. This trial also marked the first integration of MMCM technology onto a non-specialised ship, highlighting the system’s flexibility.
Developed under a €430 million joint UK-France programme managed by OCCAR, Apollo was manufactured by L3 Harris under contract with Thales. The UK’s £184 million share of the programme supports over 200 jobs across the supply chain, including in Somerset, Devon, Portsmouth, Aberdeen, and Glasgow.
Following the trial, Apollo will undergo further upgrades before delivery to the Royal Navy in 2025. Commander Daniel Herridge of the Royal Navy described the trial as “another step in the paradigm shift” towards advanced mine countermeasures. Thales’ Philippe Commarmond praised the system’s progress, calling it a “cutting-edge, integrated system of systems” for modern naval operations.
Source: Defence Equipment & Support.
