19 Mei 2011

Venus USV (photo : Navatek)

Singapore Technologies Engineering (STE) will use a second prototype of its Venus USV to test a variety of weaponry as it seeks to extend development beyond MCM capabilities, according to company officials.

Speaking to Shephard at the International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX) in Singapore, STE president of defence business, Thiam Beng Lau said the second 9m variant of the USV will be integrated with Oto Melara's Hitrole NT remote weapon station (RWS) comprising a .50-calibre heavy machine gun.

Lau said the company had already started integration of the RWS, adding that it was due to be completed during the second half of the year with demonstration to Singapore's armed forces by the end of 2011.

'We are in discussion with a few interested parties and are looking to secure contracts in the next two years,' Lau pledged. STE is also looking to use the second 9m prototype to integrate non-lethal weapons including water cannons as well as loud hailers.

The first 9m prototype completed sea trials in January trailing Thales MCM equipment and Lau said STE was in discussion with the Royal Singapore Navy regarding a possible acquisition strategy after it had expressed an interest in the capability.

Other members in the Venus USV family include the 11m variant which, Lau conceded, was still a 'paper design'. In addition, STE has just started development of a 16m variant, the first prototype of which would be completed by the end of the year, he concluded.

(Shephard)

18 Mei 2011

Zyvex Technologies' Vigilant/Piranha USVs (all images : Gizmag)

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) will receive an undisclosed number of Zyvex Technologies' Vigilant USVs ahead of a proposed year-long evaluation, company officials have revealed.

According to Russell Belden, VP Advanced Composite Solutions at Zyvex, the RSN will kickstart an evaluation of the lightweight patrol vessel in October. However, he was unable to provide additional details due to a disclosure agreement with the navy.

Known as Piranha in the US, Vigilant is being marketed in Singapore by Zyvex's sister company ZyCraft. The 54-ft vessel weighs 8,400lbs, and is capable of carrying a 7.5-ton payload, Belden told Shephard. 'It is the Predator [UAV] on the water,' he said while highlighting potential missions such as counter-piracy, convoy protection, mine warfare and surveillance.

Currently, the RSN operates Rafael's Protector, Singapore Technologies Engineering's Venus and Spartan USVs- the latter comprising a collaboration between the US Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and Radix Marine.

The USV completed a six-month programme of sea trials earlier in the year and made a debut at the Navy League Sea Air Space exposition in Washington, DC in April. According to Zyvex, the USV can operate for 2.5nm per gallon, allowing it to travel 2,800nm without refuelling.

Built using 'carbon fibre infused with carbon nanotubes', the vessel is capable of travelling up to a maximum speed of some 45kts and has also operated with L-3's Wescam MX-10 EO/IR payload.
Comprising over 16m in length, an 11m variant is also in development which would make it compatible with the US Navy's Littoral Combat Ship programme. In addition, an 18ft version is also be considered for riverine operations, the company said.

However, it is expected that the USV will initially appear as a remotely piloted vehicle before progressing onto becoming a fully autonomous system, complete with obstacle avoidance technology.

To date, Piranha has been shown to various border patrol and customs organisations and the company said it was in discussions with 'market leaders in the USV world' for potential tie-ups in the future.

(Shephard)