ECA to export three Inspector USVs
ECA Group has received a $11 million export contract for the delivery of three Inspector Mk2 Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) for mine countermeasures to an unnamed customer, it was announced on 12 July.
The first system will be delivered by the end of 2016 followed by two others in 2017 and 2018.
The Inspector Mk2 USV can be operated autonomously or remotely from a control station.
The USVs will be equipped with ECA’s Towed Side Scan Sonar (TOWSCA) subsea robotic system. TOWSCA can operate up to depths of 100m, gathering data and transmitting it to the control station in real time through the USV high data rate radio link.
The USVs will also be fitted with two SEASCANs each - an identification vehicle in the ECA Group Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) range. SEASCAN is deployed with a compact launch and recovery system (LARS) and can operate up to three hours in a range of 1,000m around the USV at depths of up to 300m.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
-
US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS
The service has been using a Directed Requirement (DR) approach to speed up the deployment of a Medium Range Reconnaissance capability.
-
AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024
AeroVironment’s portfolio will grow thanks to the eVTOL P550 aimed at battalion-level tactical forces.
-
Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards
The Royal Australian Air Force is advancing its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities across three key programmes as it works with the likes of Boeing and Northrop Grumman to reshape Australia’s defence strategy.
-
FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official
Prototypes from Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems recently passed through MOSA conformance trials and flight tests.
-
Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities
Funds for the second phase of this effort will be allocated in the US Department of Defense (DoD) FY2026 budget request.