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
-
![Havelsan sells ADVENT CMS into Chilean Navy frigates]()
Havelsan sells ADVENT CMS into Chilean Navy frigates
The system is intended to add enhanced operational precision to two ageing vessels.
-
![TKMS joins forces with Norwegian shipbuilder for Fridtjof Nansen frigate replacement bid]()
TKMS joins forces with Norwegian shipbuilder for Fridtjof Nansen frigate replacement bid
Four shipbuilders have been downselected to build the frigate replacement programme, and TKMS hopes the new deal will give it a geographical advantage.
-
![As Australian resistance rises, is AUKUS in trouble?]()
As Australian resistance rises, is AUKUS in trouble?
The tripartite submarine project is under political pressure from a grass-roots Australian Labor Party movement, but it could also have practical issues in its way.
