BAE Systems displays next generation UUV to Australian and International customers

BAE Systems’ next generation, unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV),  which uses state-of-the-art sensors to allow security forces to identify a range of maritime threats, is on display at the Pacific 2010 exhibition.

The vehicle, Talisman L, uses a range of sensors including high-definition forward and sideways looking sonar that enables it to rapidly and effectively perform environmental assessment, mine detection and harbour surveillance tasks, even in zero visibility.

Weighing only 50 kilograms, Talisman L can be quickly deployed and retrieved from almost any vessel including rigid hull inflatable boats, and can even be launched from its larger relative, the Talisman M UUV.

“With UUV technology set to play a much larger role in future naval forces, including the Royal Australian Navy’s Amphibious Task Group, we are excited to showcase this next generation capability to key customers,” Kim Scott, Joint Business Unit Director, said today.

“The Talisman vehicle is also ideally suited for use by Australian security agencies looking to boost targeted surveillance of potential security concerns in ports and harbours.

“Talisman L has substantial commonality with the larger Talisman M, and provides significant capability improvements over existing UUV systems, including increased manoeuvrability, autonomy and on-board data processing,” Mr Scott said.

Talisman L has a very high degree of manoeuvrability, with an ability to hover, move in any direction and turn within its own length, making it ideally suited to complex littoral environments. The vehicle can operate in water as shallow as three metres for up to six hours.

The vehicle can operate autonomously, using pre-set mission parameters, but operators can assume manual control at any time, giving it significant tactical flexibility and command oversight.

Talisman L is one of a range of Talisman Autonomous Unmanned Vehicles that share open platform architectures, mission system components and command and training infrastructures.

Source: BAE Systems