Haifa, Israel, February 07, 2019 – In a Sea Acceptance Test (SAT) performed by the Israeli Navy, a Helicopter Long-Range Active Sonar (HELRAS) dipping sonar was successfully converted for operation onboard the SeagullTM, Elbit Systems’ Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV).
Operating a dipping sonar onboard a USV significantly increases the operational working time and substantially enhances that detection capabilities and the effectiveness of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW).
The Seagull autonomous multi-mission USV features switchable, modular mission payload suites and can perform, in addition to ASW, Mine Countermeasure missions (MCM), Electronic Warfare (EW), Maritime Security (MS), Hydrography and other missions using the same vessel, mission control system and data links. Seagull offers navies a true force multiplier delivering enhanced performance to naval operations, reducing risk to human life and dramatically cutting procurement and operating costs.
Notes to editors:
Operational with the Israeli Navy, Elbit Systems’ Seagull USV performed superbly in the Belgian Defence Ministry 2017 North Sea trials and has been participating regularly in international naval exercises conducting Mine Counter Measures and Anti-Submarine Warfare missions.
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NATO forces deployed the Seagull USV during a Joint Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) exercise with the Spanish Navy’s Santa Maria-class frigate “Victoria” and the Royal Navy’s Type-45 HMS Duncan;
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The Seagull USV participated in a joint Mine Counter Measure (MCM) exercise between the British Royal Navy and the Israeli Navy in which the Seagull USV was tasked with securing a path for HMS Ocean, the UK helicopter carrier
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Carrying out an autonomous end-to-end unmanned Mine Counter Measure (MCM) mission in sea states 5 and 6 in the Belgian North Sea MCM Trials that were conducted at the beginning of June 2017 off the Belgian Zeebrugge Naval Base