Lloyd's Register awards Atlas Elektronik UK the first UMS certificate issued to a naval minehunter

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has awarded Unmanned Marine Systems (UMS) Certification to ATLAS ELEKTRONIK UK (AEUK) for its RNMB Hydra vessel, an uncrewed UK Royal Navy surface vessel designed for mine sweeping and mine hunting tasks.   

This certification follows LR awarding AEUK with Grey Boat Code certification for RNMB Hydra last year. 

The 11-metre long RNMB Hydra is the latest ATLAS Remote Combined Influence Minesweeping System (ARCIMS) Unmanned Surface Vessel supplied to the Royal Navy under the Mine Hunting Capability Project. It will complement existing ARCIMS systems including mine sweeping modules, launch and recovery of the SeaCat unmanned underwater vehicle, and towed SideScan sonar deployment.

Anderson Chaplow, Head of LR's Naval Project Team, said: “We are pleased to be able to issue this certificate to RNMB Hydra which allows AEUK to demonstrate compliance with a robust and rigorous standard. The project is testament to our strong partnership with AEUK, which involved significant research into autonomous applications to support safer procedures in military operations.” 

Wesley Galliver, Head of Surface Ship Systems Division in AEUK, said: “AEUK is proud to be part of the transition to autonomous systems that many global navies are undertaking. Working with Lloyd’s Register to achieve this certification means that our users can operate these technologically advanced systems safely and with confidence in their capabilities.

“The benefits of unmanned systems, such as force multiplication, safety of operators and value, in comparison to traditional assets mean that this will be the first of many steps towards an autonomous future, and we are delighted to be well on that path with Lloyd’s Register.”  

LR’s UMS Code is a process for certifying the design, build, and maintenance of remotely controlled and autonomous vessels within a structured framework. The Code is adaptable and applicable to vessels ranging from very small to large complex ones. 

Published in 2017, the UMS Code offers a framework for certifying novel technologies, scalable to the system's size, risk, and autonomy level. It complements IMO or Flag State regulations by providing assurance through a structured set of requirements. 

LR has also been supporting the Grey Boat Code certification of other AEUK vessels including RNMB Harrier, RNMB Hussar, and RNMB Halycon.  

LR released the Grey Boat Code in 2019 for government service vessels under 24 meters, such as those used by navies, coast guards, and police. The Code established safety standards to protect all on board, addressing the unique and hazardous conditions these boats often face.