Israeli USV programme hits the rocks
The Israeli Navy has terminated a programme to use unarmed and armed unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for maritime patrol missions.
Unmanned underwater systems remain under evaluation, but there is no alternative plan for Israel to deploy unmanned surface assets.
This poses a problem for Israeli companies that developed unmanned patrol boats in recent years. Examples include the Protector from Rafael, Seagull from Elbit and Katana (pictured above) from IAI Ramta.
Protector has been in operational service since 2004 and the USV has been used to test-fire Rafael Spike missiles. Undisclosed numbers of Protectors are in service with Israel, Mexico,
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