JDW - Dec 15, 2004
Israel Navy to evaluate Protector system
ALON BEN-DAVID JDW Correspondent
Tel Aviv
Israel's Rafael Armament Development Authority has revealed that it has sold several Protector unmanned surface vehicle (USV) systems to an undisclosed costumer.
The systems delivered were originally earmarked to begin evaluation tests with the Israel Navy (IN), but these were postponed when all the Protectors were purchased by the overseas customer.
"Now that we have concluded operational tests with the Protector, we are offering several systems to the IN for evaluation," Giora Katz, Rafael's head of Naval Directorate, told JDW.
While it is not yet clear whether the IN will be able to absorb procurement of a USV capability, Katz argued that "in a matter of a few years unmanned vehicles will replace today's manned platforms in many of the IN's missions, such as coast guard, force protection and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaisance."
The 9 m-long USV has a maximum operational payload of 1,000 kg. This includes a search radar and Rafael's Toplite stabilised multirole multisensor optronic payload.
Toplite subsystems include a third-generation forward-looking infra-red sensor, black and white/colour charge-coupled device camera and eye-safe laser rangefinder, an advanced correlation tracker and an (optional) laser designator.
The Protector's mini-Typhoon weapon system - based on Rafael's Typhoon remote-controlled, stabilised weapon station - is capable of operating machine guns up to 12.7 mm calibre and a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. The mini-Typhoon - which is equipped with a computerised fire-control system and an on-mount camera for day/night operation - is slaved to the Toplite system to provide a fully unmanned integrated weapon suite. A larger variant of the USV provides for an option of a 30 mm canon.
The Protector is mission-reconfigurable through its plug-and- play design. "Its endurance derives from the mounted payload, but the Protector can be controlled from a range of several dozen miles from a shore control station or from onboard a naval command platform," said Katz.
"The biggest advantage of USVs is in the routine, high risk missions, such as force protection, anti-terror surveillance and reconnaissance, mine warfare, electronic warfare and other capabilities," he added. "With the Protector, you can detect, track, recognise, communicate and engage with a target if necessary, while the operator is not exposed to any threat and much more attentive than a tired sailor on a patrol boat. All this is done with significantly lower costs than any manned vessel," said Katz.
Rafael is currently marketing the Protector for numerous navies around the world.
"Our customers will be able to select the size of the platform according to their requirements, as we offer a unique integration of sensors and weapons aboard the Protector," added Katz.
Israel's Rafael Armament Development Authority has sold the 11 m-long Protector USV to an undisclosed customer
(Source: Rafael)