The Protector Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV)

It might be remote controlled and small, but it’s not a toy boat by a long shot. Indeed, it’s the only operational Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) that exists today having successfully served in the Persian Gulf and Mediterranean. Developed by Israel’s Rafael Armament Development Authority in response to emerging terrorist threats against maritime assets, the Protector is stealthy, highly autonomous and can operate with general guidance from a commander in port, riverine, harbour and coastal waterways in a variety of roles, thanks to the plug-and-play design of its various mission modules, such as force protection, anti-terror, surveillance and reconnaissance, mine warfare and electronic warfare. The options include a highly accurate, stabilized mini-Typhoon weapon system with an excellent hit-and-kill probability, plus cameras, search radar and a Toplite electro-optical (EO) pod for detection, identification and targeting operations.

BAE Systems and Rafael are teamed for product production and all other program developments with Lockheed Martin leading the Protector team for Littoral Combat Ship and Deepwater programs and Combat System integration efforts. The companies will be demonstrating the USV's force protection capabilities to the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard and other maritime security agencies. The demonstrations will highlight the system's ability to be integrated with several different mission modules, showcase the boat's speed and stealthy maneuverability, and perform surveillance and intercept missions against realistic targets.

"The Protector will provide Sailors with the capabilities they need to complete their missions more efficiently,” said Sean Patton, senior manager of Lockheed Martin's LCS Business Development team. “The Protector can be the first line of defense, checking-out vessels of interest at arm's length, while our personnel and capital assets are held at a safe distance." Force protection

Protector is an integrated, remotely controlled combat system ideally suited to meet force protection requirements in all maritime settings. By providing long range stand-off surveillance, identification and engagement capability Protector can be quickly deployed to defend high value assets including naval vessels, port operations, oil rigs and coastal power plants.

Stealthy, fast and highly maneuverable, this unmanned vehicle identifies its targets through a combat proven Toplite multi-sensor, electro-optical (EO) system with day and night targeting capabilities. The highly accurate, stabilized weapon station provides immediate engagement capability and powerful lethality at stand-off ranges. The weapon system can be remotely operated independently using its own sight system or "slaved" to the Toplite for combined operation and automated target tracking. It can stay on-target at all times; day and night; at high speed; and in rough seas.

Through its modular platform design and open architecture, Protector can be rapidly reconfigured to meet changing mission requirements. It can also be integrated to operate from surface platforms such as the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS).

The Protector is a powerful, proven asset that can immediately provide force protection capability for maritime forces and security operations.

Anti-terror

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