ECA demos unmanned port protection
ECA Group has demonstrated an unmanned solution for port and coastal protection in the Toulon area in the south of France.
The company’s solution combines the Inspector Mk2 unmanned surface vehicle (USV) and the IT180-60 UAV controlled and supervised from an onshore command and control centre. This can also be augmented with underwater sensors for diver detection, giving operators a complete situational awareness picture across aerial, water surface and underwater approaches.
The system is able to detect, track and interdict potentially dangerous air, sea and undersea threats such as malicious UAVs, fast attack boats or divers; either as a stand-alone solution, or integrated in a wider system for maritime critical infrastructure protection.
The demonstration saw a simulated intruder enter the area of surveillance, where it was detected by the USV and UAVs' radar and electro-optical payloads. The identified threat was then forced to leave the area by means of inoffensive but effective non-lethal weapons.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![AUKUS update: Australian sovereignty is “paramount” as Trump declares “full steam ahead”]()
AUKUS update: Australian sovereignty is “paramount” as Trump declares “full steam ahead”
AUKUS has been under the spotlight this week as US President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had their first face-to-face meeting.
-
![US Navy acquires additional Most Aggressive Features for Virginia-class submarines]()
US Navy acquires additional Most Aggressive Features for Virginia-class submarines
A follow-on contract awarded to Collins covers the supply of up to eight MAFs to be delivered from 2027.
-
![Singapore christens first Victory-class multi-role combat vessel]()
Singapore christens first Victory-class multi-role combat vessel
The new mothership’s modular design ensures it meets the navy’s needs for future situations in both war and peace.
-
![Royal Canadian Navy’s SEA Torpedo Launcher Systems to enter production in Ottawa in November]()
Royal Canadian Navy’s SEA Torpedo Launcher Systems to enter production in Ottawa in November
The article acceptance testing for the TLS is scheduled for the end of 2026.
