Protector Naval Combat System

An Israeli company - Rafael Armament Development Authority Ltd. - has developed an unmanned autonomous speed boat called the Protector.

The 30-foot-long 'Protector' boat can reach speeds of up to 43 miles per hour and is fitted with a radar system, cameras that can identify targets, and a light machine-gun.

Each boat is equipped with at least four cameras, as well as a sonar or radar system, and electro-optics capable of providing a three-dimensional image. The machine gun on board is a mini-Typhoon type, also developed by Rafael. The Typhoon system allows the gun to stay on target as the unmanned surface vehicle (USV) bounces across the waves.

According to Dr. Noam Brock, who was in charge of the Rafael team that developed the Protector, the boat operates well at night and can cope with very rough sea conditions. Its systems are so advanced that they can track the flight of a single bird. [Good for duck hunting]

"The next step for the future will be to equip the system with greater attack capabilities."

...the world market for unmanned ships like the Protector could reach $1.8 billion by the year 2011.

Israel21c: "Protector "

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