Shom selects RTsys micro-AUV for autonomous seabed survey operations
Following a seven-month competitive tender, the French Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (Shom) has awarded a contract to French marine technology specialist RTsys for the supply of an autonomous underwater micro-drone (μAUV). The order, placed at the end of December, covers the NemoSens model and forms part of Shom’s broader modernization programme for hydrographic and oceanographic data acquisition, initiated in 2024.
The procurement reflects Shom’s response to growing demand for timely, certified seabed data from both civilian and defence users, as areas of strategic interest continue to expand from coastal waters to deep-sea environments. Central to this shift is the increasing use of unmanned systems – underwater, surface and aerial – alongside the renewal of the French Navy’s hydrographic fleet. The replacement of three coastal hydrographic vessels with two new-generation hydrographic vessels (BHNG), designed to operate in conjunction with drones, is expected to shorten data acquisition and processing cycles and improve operational flexibility.
Commercially and strategically significant environment
NemoSens is the first autonomous underwater micro-drone acquired by Shom and is scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2026. Equipped with a single-frequency sidescan sonar and a magnetometer, the system is intended to support high-resolution mapping of the continental shelf down to depths of 200m. This zone represents a commercially and strategically significant environment, supporting activities ranging from maritime infrastructure and resource management to defence and security operations.
From an operational perspective, Shom is seeking a lightweight system that can be deployed and recovered quickly, offering a cost-effective complement to larger deep-sea AUVs. The NemoSens platform is designed to support a broad range of missions for defence users, public authorities and marine management bodies, reinforcing the growing role of compact, modular underwater systems within national hydrographic capabilities.
The NemoSens platform features a modular architecture comprising four main sections: a removable nose for payload integration; a central section with a multifunction mast (GNSS, Wi-Fi and UHF communications, flasher) and onboard sensors including a 900kHz sidescan sonar and an acoustic tracking transducer; a battery section; and a rear propulsion unit enabling operating speeds of between two and six knots, depending on configuration.
