Autonomous Surface Vehicles Ltd (ASV Ltd) has won a contract from Thales UK to develop a re-configurable Unmanned Surface Vehicle Countermeasures (MCM) operations. The vehicle designed in conjunction with Thales engineers is a modified version of on ASV’s C-Sweep USV design.
The vessel will meet a number of key requirements, including:
– Deployable from military platforms, craft of opportunity and from shore/harbor
– Air transportable
– Payload flexibility for all MCM systems – unmanned underwater vehicles, towed sonar, disposal systems, minesweeping
– Stable platform with excellent slow speed and towing capabilities
– Highly reliable & cost effective
The low signature USV, which is 11.5 m in length and 3.6m in beam will have a maximum speed of around 25 knots. The vehicles is now under construction and will be undergoing acceptance trails later this year. A series of payload trials will be conducted by Thales from early 2013 onwards, drawing on experience gained in previous off-board system programs.
“We are pleased to be developing such an advanced capability with Thales UK and are confident in the system’s performance for the wide range of roles,” commented ASV Managing Director, Dan Hook.
ASV Ltd . provides rugged, reliable and effective unmanned systems using cutting edge marine technology. The Portsmouth-based company is part of Global Fusion, a privately owned international marine services group.
[mappress] Subsea World News Staff , July 06, 2012; Image: ASV