French unmanned systems manufacturer ECA Group announced that the unmanned mine counter measure integrated system (UMIS) it delivered to Kazakh Navy passed sea acceptance trials.
The system was delivered and installed onboard the Kazakh Navy 10750E-class mine countermeasure vessel.
Built by the Russian shipyard SNSZ in St Petersburg, this first mine hunter has reached Aktau, Kazakhstan, through the rivers and channels by the end of the winter. Fitted with ECA Group’s MCM system this MCMV will be capable of surveying and protecting the North Eastern coats of the Caspian Sea in a fully unmanned mode keeping the ship and its crew in a safer position.
The UMIS system is composed of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) A9, identification and mine disposal vehicles (EMDS) K-STER and a single multifunction console integrating the mission management software suite.
With their high resolution sonar and video camera, the A9 AUV and identification vehicle K-STER I are not limited to MCM missions and will also provide the Kazakhstan Navy with maritime surveillance capabilities such as search and rescue (SAR) operations.
The French company further said it has established a partnership with a local company which will be in charge of the maintenance of the system and the training of the crew.