Autonomous futures on show

BY RICHARD SCOTT

Al Marakeb Boats (Stand B-038), the UAE-based manufacturer of high-performance GRP and marine autonomous vessels, has been conducting live autonomous demonstrations of an unmanned surface vessel (USV) from a command and control station located on its stand at NAVDEX.

The 13m AHM13 USV has been operating from Ghantoot Naval Base, more than 70km from the NAVDEX show site. The system is being run by Al Marakeb’s patented MAP Pro technology, which comprises a series of software and component ‘building blocks’ designed to enable the conversion of existing vessels for remote and autonomous missions. Constructed by Al Hareb Marine,

with system integration performed by Al Marakeb, the AHM13 USV fitted with a MAP Pro device allows for communication between the vessels systems and the C2-20 command and control station inside the NAVDEX hall. For the purposes of the live demonstration, the system is displaying engine diagnostics, route management and a live camera feed, as well as a radar display and obstacle warning alarm.

The AHM13 USV is armed with an IGG Aselsan STAMP remote weapon station, the operation of which is also enabled by the MAP Pro system.

Al Marakeb is also showing the new 11m AHM11 USV, which is being displayed with IGG Aselsan’s MILAS missile launcher system.

On Tuesday it was announced that the Defense and Security

Development Fund of Tawazun Economic Council would invest in Al Marakeb Boats in return for a 30 per cent stake. Tawazun’s

investment will boost the company’s growth plans by allowing it to increase production capacity and expand its presence in the region. n

‘Virtually indestructible’ boats

Having already achieved export success with its rugged military patrol boats, South African firm Twiga Services and Logistics (Stand 12-C40) is showcasing some examples at IDEX this week.

Designed for harsh working environments and demanding conditions, the range of rugged boats are designed for fast-boat operations, riverine patrols, offshore interception, scuba-dive support and logistics supply. Available in lengths from 6.5- 12.0m, they are qualified for military and security operations in rivers, lakes and close to the seashore, although the boats can safely be taken into deeper water.

Constructed from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), the boats are claimed to be virtually indestructible and provide a tough, durable water platform. According to Twiga’s CEO, Brig Gen Damian de Lange, HDPE provides positive buoyancy and is easily repaired in the event of damage to the hull.

“Tests we’ve done involved deliberately hitting floating and submerged obstacles, including ice-filled drums at top speed, which the boats withstood successfully,” he explained. “This test was prompted by interest from customers operating in ice environments. The boats can operate in sea state 5, which is characterised by rough seas and high wind conditions.”

A recent export order of four boats to Uganda, delivered in June 2018, consisted of the 850 MPB (pictured), which is 8.5m long. These are powered by two 200hp Yamaha outboard engines, giving a top speed of more than 35kt. However, inboard diesel motors or jet drives can also be fitted.

Electronic equipment on board the 850 MPB includes radar, forward scanner, GPS, touchscreen display and WiFi to allow the team leader access to the electronic and observation systems. This variant has three gun stations integrated into the hull structure, thereby providing a robust hard-point for machine guns.

Decoys at sea

French countermeasures and pyrotechnics group Lacroix Defense (Stand 07-B47) is showcasing its Sylena family of decoy launching systems at IDEX 2019. Designed to provide soft-kill protection for ships from patrol boats up to frigates, Sylena employs Lacroix’s SEACLAD family of decoys – more than 10,000 of which have been delivered to date – to counter missiles using radio frequency (RF) or imaging infrared (IIR) seekers. Another SEACLAD decoy is available for torpedo defence. Sylena uses simple fixed launchers located on the ship upper decks. Lacroix claims omnidirectional (360°) protection, regardless of the threat’s relative bearing, thanks to the omnidirectional characteristics of the decoy payloads deployed.

While many naval decoy launching systems deploy chaff, Sylena utilises a different countermeasures payload in the form of corner reflector (CNR) technology. According to Lacroix, the discrimination logic used in modern radar seeker systems has rendered chaff ineffective.

The company argues that a CNR payload – embodied in the SEALEM decoy round – provides a far more realistic RF response over a broad frequency band, adding: “Trainable launchers are not required to deploy corner reflector centroid seduction, making [Sylena] a cost-effective solution.”

The SEALIR IIR decoy is also part of Lacroix’s SEACLAD decoy family. The composition of this single-burst decoy is intended to produce a ship-like infrared signature that emulates hot spots on the ship.

Lacroix offers three versions of Sylena to meet market requirements for scalability. Sylena LW is a lightweight system optimised for smaller vessels such as patrol craft and offshore patrol vessels. This variant, which uses twin lightweight launchers, is in service on the Royal Navy of Oman’s four Al-Ofouqclass offshore patrol vessels.

Sylena Mk 1 and Mk 2 are designed for corvettes, frigates and destroyers, and have a largercapacity launcher. Whereas the Mk 1 variant fires anti-missile decoys only (SEALEM and SEALIR), the Mk 2 also provides a capability to deploy the SEALAT- CANTO broadband active acoustic countermeasure.

Sylena Mk 2 has been selected for Gowind corvette programmes in Egypt (El Fateh class) and Malaysia (Kapal Kombat Litoral/ Littoral Combat Ship).

There's no escape

UK-based security equipment specialist BCB International (Stand C8-005) is showing its new range of boat stopping systems, designed to quickly stop boats without damaging the craft or harming the occupants.

Andrew Howell, BCB International’s managing director, explained: “BCB’s boat stopping systems were inspired by police road ‘stingers’ used to stop speeding and runaway cars. Our ports, docks and rivers are vulnerable to piracy, acts of terrorism, and narcotics trafficking.”

He added: “Provided in boat-mounted and handheld formats, our non-lethal fast boat stopping systems ingeniously use compressed air and a range of specialised projectiles to intercept vessels weighing up to 3 tonnes, and rigid inflatable boats travelling at 45kt, in seconds.”

A range of different system solutions are available, comprising the Barracuda, the Buccaneer (available in both lightweight and standard versions) and the Sea Stinger.