Emirati and Israeli companies pledge joint USV development
Pictured (left to right): Boaz Levy, IAI president and CEO; Yehuda Lahav, EVP Marketing IAI; David Massey, CEO ADSB; and Faisal Al Bannai, EDGE CEO and MD. (Photo: IAI)
UAE-made 17m USV family to include autonomous technology from Israel.
EDGE on 18 November announced an agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to conduct joint development of ‘a first-in-class series of 17m unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for the entire range of military and commercial applications’, the defence conglomerate noted in a statement.
EDGE added that its Abu Dhabi Ship Building subsidiary will design the platform, integrate the control systems and payload and develop the CONOPS for this new family of USVs, while IAI will develop the autonomous control system and integrate various mission payloads according to specific mission requirements.
IAI may leverage its experience in developing the optionally crewed 11.9m-long Katana USV, which it unveiled in early 2014. In the aftermath of the Abraham Accords which normalised relations between Israel and the UAE, Shephard reported that USVs could prove a fruitful area of defence industrial collaboration between the two countries.
In the future UAE-made design, advanced sensors, sonars and imaging systems will be integrated into a unified C2 system with AI algorithms, so that the bespoke USV can operate either remotely, semi-autonomously or autonomously.
Military applications for the USV would include ISR, border and littoral zone patrol, maritime security, mine detection and sweeping, submarine detection and anti-submarine warfare, EDGE stated.
EDGE CEO Faisal Al Bannai emphasised the importance of collaborating with companies such as IAI ‘to strengthen our advanced technology portfolio’, while also opening ‘many doors for us in local and global markets, military and commercial alike’.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Swedish navy moves to final phase of Blekinge-class sub production with new Saab order]()
Swedish navy moves to final phase of Blekinge-class sub production with new Saab order
Saab Kockums was initially awarded the contract to build two A26 submarines for the Royal Swedish Navy in 2015, but the programme has faced delays and escalating costs.
-
![Germany goes for more US equipment for F127 frigates with SPY-6 radar choice]()
Germany goes for more US equipment for F127 frigates with SPY-6 radar choice
If the foreign military sale request is approved, Germany would be the first country outside the US to acquire the technology, which is currently used extensively by the US Navy.
-
![US continues to review AUKUS submarine deal as HII ticks off new Virginia-class sea trials]()
US continues to review AUKUS submarine deal as HII ticks off new Virginia-class sea trials
The initial sea trials for Virginia-class SSN 798 conducted by Newport News Shipbuilding division and the US Navy marked an “important step”, but the ongoing AUKUS review casts a shadow over what the progress means for the partner nations.
-
![US Navy seeks AI software suppliers to bolster air and missile defence]()
US Navy seeks AI software suppliers to bolster air and missile defence
The US Navy is conducting market research to find AI software products for the Collaborative Integrated Air and Missile Defence Planning Programme.
-
![Turkey’s Goksur naval missile completes first live-fire intercept]()
Turkey’s Goksur naval missile completes first live-fire intercept
The Goksur will be available in a range of configurations and could be integrated into Turkey’s nascent Steel Dome which is designed to provide multi-layered protection against a range of aerial targets from mortars to aircraft.
