The UK Royal Navy (RN) has accepted into service three sets of autonomous minesweeping systems, known as SWEEP, that allow it to safely clear sea lanes and defeat modern mine threats using unmanned platforms, the navy announced on 4 July 2025.
The SWEEP system – effectively the RN’s first uncrewed minesweeper – was designed by Dorset-based TKMS Atlas UK (formerly Atlas Elektronik UK) under a GBP 25 million contract announced on 19 January 2021.
Each SWEEP system comprises an autonomous surface vessel that tows a sensor unit behind it. The unit uses magnetic, acoustic and electric technology to identify and neutralise different types of sea mines. The system is controlled by a portable command centre that can be based at sea or on land.
SWEEP’s ‘sense and avoid’ capability works together with other similar autonomous systems, such as the Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) system and SeaCat uncrewed underwater vehicles, to sustain freedom of manoeuvre for RN and allied vessels.
The RN received its first serial-production MMCM system – an advanced suite of technologies designed to locate, classify and neutralise naval mines, operated either autonomously or via remote control – in February 2025.
“The Royal Navy receiving its first fully autonomous minesweeping system is truly transformational. The uncrewed system can replicate a ship’s signature, tricking sea mines into detonating safely,” Jonathan Reed-Beviere, the RN’s mine hunting capability programme director, was quoted as saying in an RN press release.
“The portable, flexible system is vital to protecting ships from modern mine threats. Operated remotely from land or sea, it will keep our sailors out of danger and will restore a minesweeping capability the Royal Navy has lacked since 2005,” he added.
Andy Lapsley, Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) team leader at the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD’s) Defence Equipment & Support organisation, DE&S, stated, “These three SWEEP systems will help to ensure Royal Navy personnel can combat the evolving global threat of naval mines more effectively and more safely.
“The new technology, which will also help maintain the freedom of manoeuvre for UK ships and submarines when defending the UK at sea, is aligned with the aims of the Strategic Defence Review to increase utilisation of new autonomous equipment to support the Royal Navy to patrol the North Atlantic and beyond.”
Antoni Mazur, managing director of TKMS Atlas UK, was quoted as saying, “It’s an incredibly proud moment to see these cutting-edge minesweeping systems enter service with the Royal Navy. We have worked with the MoD for decades to develop our minesweeping expertise and deliver this capability as a true, UK innovation, supporting highly skilled local jobs and the manufacturing base. We look forward to continuing to work with the RN and MHC team for the success of the transition to an autonomous MCM capability for the UK.”
