Page 8 - ADT NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023 Online Magazine

Seagull is a multi-mission USV that features partner Al Seer Marine, demonstrated the maritime autonomous
a modular mission payload suite supporting capabilities of a new USV (unmanned surface vessel) platform at
Anti-Submarine Warfare, Mine Countermeasure IDEX in Abu Dhabi.
missions, Electronic Warfare, Maritime Security,
underwater surveys and other missions using the The Al Seer Marine USV was equipped with L3Harris’ ASView
same vessel, mission control system and data advanced autonomous control system, a Falcon-III RF-7800W
links. high-capacity line-of-sight radio with advanced SMART Antenna,
and a WESCAM MX-10MS maritime electro-optical/infrared imaging
The Seagull USV is in service with the Israeli Navy system. Al Seer Marine claimed that the USV is ideal for a variety of
since 2017 and is currently in the production and different maritime missions, including ISR (intelligence, surveillance
deployment phase internationally. and reconnaissance), coastal patrol and interdiction missions.

Israel is also promoting its Katana advanced, L3Harris has delivered more than 125 ASVs (autonomous surface
multi-purpose, unmanned surface vessel. The vessels) and optionally manned vehicles to defence and commer-
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) built Katana cial customers throughout the world. UAE-based Milanion group
solution provides unmanned capabilities for the recently delivered the first USV to Greece. The USV can be configured
entire range of Homeland Security and Naval to loiter, patrol, report and, if required, to intercept other marine
applications. Katana also provides manual traffic. Several defence companies in Turkey also have teamed up
and fully autonomous operation, along with a to develop new armed USVs to strengthen the country’s maritime
modular, flexible design to suit the customer’s defences. Turkish firms Aselsan and Sefine Shipyard unveiled the
requirements. initial production of the NB57 anti-submarine warfare USV and RD09
anti-surface warfare.
Singapore is also testing unmanned surface
vessels with a locally developed, AI-driven The unmanned vessels will include gun and indigenous missile sys-
navigation algorithm that could be used for tems courtesy of Aselsan and Turkish missile producer Roketsan.
maritime security operations. Though no details NB07 will be fitted with 2×2 lightweight torpedoes, while the RD09
of the USV is available, the defence ministry said will have two tactical missile launchers. Turkey’s military will utilize
the USV will be fitted with an indigenously devel- both the NB57 USV and RD09 anti-surface warfare for missions such
oped collision detection and avoidance system. as autonomous reconnaissance and intelligence, surface warfare,
The Republic of Singapore Navy is expected to anti-submarine warfare, and protection of bases and other critical
field four USVs to augment the layer of surveil- facilities.
lance and operational response for its maritime
borders. The Unmanned Surface Vehicles market is predicted to register a
CAGR of 14.34 per cent by 2027. Currently, the USVs are designed for
The Middle East is not far behind when it comes primary non-lethal missions, such as survey, intelligence, surveillance
to USVs. L3Harris Technologies along with and reconnaissance (ISR), and mine countermeasures (MCM)..

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