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Minehunting course gives sailors the edge in using uncrewed equipment in frontline operations
10 March 2026
The first Royal Navy mine warfare experts have received training in uncrewed systems to give the UK the edge in underwater battlespace.
The Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) programme delivered two uncrewed surface vessels and three sets of uncrewed underwater vehicles, known as SeaCat, with training starting last year and continuing this month. This is the first practical delivery on a key, complex MHC-procured system, on top of delivery in four other systems/software to date.
A small cadre of experts from the Mine and Threat Exploitation Group (MTXG) have already received comprehensive instruction in the use of the new systems from the manufacturers.
They are now sharing that knowledge, delivering bespoke courses to their comrades to allow them to operate the latest autonomous mine-countermeasures kit safely and effectively.
The new specialist training course they’ve introduced covers technical understanding, safe operation, mission planning, deployment, recovery, data exploitation and routine maintenance of both the surface vessels and the SeaCat.
It was designed to give sailors using the kit and looking after it the knowledge and confidence to use them on front-line operations.
MTXG’s Operation Conversion Unit, a team delivering training on specialist equipment used in minehunting operations, now have a 12-month programme of training planned, including the delivery of R300 UUV, ARCIMS USV, SWEEP.
The next training course is planned for delivery in May.
Programme director Jon Reed-Beviere said: “The successful delivery of the SeaCat MUUV training marks a significant milestone for the Mine Hunting Capability programme. This course demonstrates how rapidly the Royal Navy is adapting to autonomous mine countermeasures technology and building the expertise required to operate it safely and effectively.
“By empowering sailors with the skills and confidence to employ these new systems on the front line, we are ensuring the capability delivered to the service is immediately usable, operationally credible, and ready to support early experimentation.”
This course demonstrates how rapidly the Royal Navy is adapting to autonomous mine countermeasures technology
He added: “This training is the foundation upon which the Royal Navy will transition from legacy minehunters to a fully modern, autonomous and deployable mine countermeasures force.”
The course is essential to:
• Bridge the capability and training gap until the new 2028 pipeline is live
• Ensure safe, competent operation of newly delivered unmanned systems
• Support initial operational deployments of MHC assets
• Build internal expertise within MTXG as the UK transitions from legacy minehunters to autonomous systems
Sailors who complete the course will be able to operate the two different kinds of uncrewed systems competently in operations; conduct remote and discrete missions and interpret data to identify threats.
POMW Gareth Miles, Yankee Unit 2, Trainee on the Seacat Course said: “A positive from the SeaCat course was the instructors and the way they taught the course, using their knowledge of equipment and going into detail about how the SeaCat works for the RN.
“This was taught at a good pace and in an approachable manner ensuring if anyone had any questions they could ask freely and would have their questions answered in detail.”
Lt Cdr Sam Jane, CO Yankee Squadron, added: “It was great to collaborate with the OCU to enable Yankee Unit 2 training on Seacat MUUV.
“The uplift in capability is invaluable and it's really pleasing to see RN delivered training materialising in MHC systems. My team are now confident in operation of the system and we're looking forward to the next iteration.”