Global defence technology leader Thales Group has unveiled Expeditionary PathMaster, a next-generation expeditionary portable operations centre (e-POC) designed to enable naval forces to conduct full-scale mine countermeasures (MCM) missions anywhere in the world.

The newly launched system introduces a hybrid mine warfare capability, integrating both manned and unmanned assets, including third-party platforms such as Autonomous Unmanned Vehicles (AUVs), Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), and conventional mine hunters. This interoperability allows navies to deploy flexible, scalable operations across diverse maritime environments.

Built on a system originally developed for the French Navy, Expeditionary PathMaster can be deployed from shore, rigid inflatable boats (RIBs), mine hunting vessels, or other naval platforms. The system is engineered to support rapid-response missions, enabling forces to secure critical infrastructure and execute expeditionary and amphibious operations with greater agility.

Thales has already demonstrated the system’s capabilities in collaboration with the Lithuanian Navy, showcasing its ability to integrate third-party assets within a portable operational framework.

At the core of Expeditionary PathMaster is Thales’ advanced artificial intelligence ecosystem, powered by cortAIx, the company’s AI accelerator. Its Mi-Map sonar analysis application leverages AI to process sonar data up to four times faster than conventional tools, achieving 99 per cent classification accuracy for underwater mine detection. Complementing this is the M-Cube mission management system, which enables operators to manage multiple simultaneous sonar analysis sessions and receive real-time updates on detected objects.

The solution also incorporates Thales’ cybersecurity expertise, ensuring that autonomous and connected systems remain protected in increasingly contested digital environments. The company has previously delivered autonomous, cyber-secure drone systems to the French Navy and the Royal Navy, and has been selected by the Republic of Singapore Navy.

With more than 50 years of experience in mine countermeasures, Thales continues to advance naval capabilities through AI-driven innovation. Expeditionary PathMaster is now fully available, offering navies a ready-to-deploy solution for detecting, classifying, and neutralising underwater mines in complex operational theatres in real time.