An uncrewed boat that can search for and detect underwater threats has arrived in the Gulf, as the Royal Navy pushes towards autonomous mine-hunting operations.
Harrier will work with host ship RFA Cardigan Bay on a series of demonstrations and trials, with her time in the region laying the foundation for future autonomous kit.
The 11m-long Harrier is capable of operating both autonomously (pre-programmed for a specific mission) or remotely from a ship or shore-based remote control centre.
She tows a side-scan sonar behind her to look for mines on the seabed, alerting units ashore or at sea of their whereabouts.
Harrier is part of the 10-year programme for replacing the Navy's current fleet of mine countermeasure vessels.
In the future, she will also work with remotely operated underwater vehicles and a minesweeping system.
The tests in the Gulf will be key for seeing how the Atlas remote-controlled mine sweeper boat deals with hot climates, having already been trialled in UK waters.
She will face water temperatures of more than 30°C in the summer, very different from her previous home of Faslane.
Harrier will integrate with Royal Navy personnel and units in the region - mine countermeasures battlestaff, the UK's Naval Support Facility in Bahrain and countries which work with the UK.
Lieutenant Commander Mark Shaw, commanding officer of Mission System Team One in the Mine Threat Exploitation Group, said: "We are excited to be involved in the Mine Hunting Capability programme, which will transition the Royal Navy from a ship-based mine countermeasures (MCM) capability to maritime autonomous off-board systems.
"Our task is to prove this first iteration of the capability in an operational environment.
"This is a step change in the way the Royal Navy conducts MCM, and we are not just proving the equipment and operating procedures but setting the template on how we operate and integrate within the wider force."
He added: "This is the future of Royal Navy MCM and we are proud to be at the leading edge of its delivery."
A move towards autonomous mine-hunting will enable the Royal Navy to counter the rapidly evolving threat of modern sea mines while reducing the risk to sailors.
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