The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) mine countermeasures hydrographic patrol craft (MHPC) is expected to enter the assessment phase by next year, BAE Systems said.

BAE future systems team leader Phil Lynch said the company will continue to concentrate on the development of wider control and command (C2) components of the programme.

The UK MoD MHPC project, led by the naval design partnering team, aims to meet the requirements for future naval vessels as well as their systems and associated equipment.

The MHPC project may integrate with the MoD tactical maritime unmanned aerial system (TMUAS) programme for the acquisition of a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) air frame, according to the Shephard.