Page 35 - NAVAL FORCES 03/2017

Surface & Subsurface

US Navy Mk-V SOC fast patrol craft
launching an Insitu SCAN EAGLE UAV. Features

03160). The strange-looking craft operates in Unmanned Systems in the Patrol Craft Arena
the patrol, counter-terrorism, anti-sabotage,
interdiction, and search and rescue roles. The In 2008, a US Navy Mk-V SOC fast patrol craft successfully launched a SCAN EAGLE UAV
Russian Navy commissioned the first vessel with a catapult, though it was clearly a makeshift configuration.
in 2015, and eight units are now in service In 2016, the Mozambique Navy commissioned three CMN-built OCEAN EAGLE 43 trima-
while a further ten should follow before 2019. rans, 43m, 75t, 30kts, with an incredible range of 3,000nmi at 18 knots. They were designed
The 2,000 HP engine can propel the 17m to operate the Schiebel CAMCOPTER S-100 UAS in addition to a 7m RHIB. It has also a
craft at up to 50 knots. Armament includes a satellite data-link, enabling exchange of imagery, video and data with other vessels or shore
emote-controlled 14.5mm MG with an optro- stations.
nic head and two manually operated 7.62mm On 15 March 2017, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency commissioned KM “Bagan
MGs. RAPTOR has a basic crew of two and Datuk,” the first of six New Generation Patrol Craft. The 300t, 44m, 24kts units are being
can carry 22 people. built by Destini Armada to a Fassmer design derived from the “11-De-Noviembre” patrol
Among shipyards leading the market, craft built for the Colombian Navy. It is armed with one Aselsan 30mm gun and carries a
both in terms of models and customers, small Thales FULMAR-X UAV with 8 hours endurance, catapult-launched and recoverable
Yonka-Onuk has consolidated its position as with a net.
Rafael’s PROTECTOR, a well-known Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) armed with a
12.7mm gun, can be operated in conjunction with traditional (manned) patrol craft, signifi-
cantly extending their surveillance and intervention range.
Israel Aircraft Industries’ (IAI) KATANA USV is being proposed for two possible appli-
cations: Traditional manned operations with a crew of five; and unmanned autonomous
operations (autonomous navigation, collision avoidance, LOS and NLOS communications),
controlled via an advanced C2 station; swapping between configurations is quick. IAI has
significant experience in converting existing vessels into USVs; the KATANA is based on
the Fabio Buzzi FB-38/42 interceptor operated by US Customs and the Greek, Kuwaiti, and
Iranian coast guards, but can be adapted to different platforms.
Furthermore in this area, Elbit Systems’ SEAGULL USV’s Mine Counter Measures (MCM)
capability facilitates end-to-end mine hunting operations and Textron Systems’ unmanned
maritime architecture (Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle - CUSV) is based on the com-
pany’s proven command-and-control systems and serves as the foundation for the US Navy’s
first USV, specifically the Unmanned Influence Sweep System (UISS).

one of the world’s most important FPB sup- Pakistan, the latter fitted out as missile craft
pliers. Its MRTP family is characterised by a with four HARPOONs); and MRTP 34 (36.7
Deep-V hull design and is offered in many var- m, 42kts: Qatar).
iants, with over 140 having been built for the All are available with various optional
Turkish Navy, Coast Guard and international armament, sensors, propulsion, and mission
customers. Current models include MRTP equipment. MRTP craft are also built under li-
The Damen 5009
Security s based on a 16 (18m, up to 70kts: Malaysia, Qatar, Tur- cense in the Emirates by ADSB and in Malaysia
well proven design for key, UAE); MRTP 20 (22.5m, 60kts: Egypt, by Boustead. Besides being com parably af-
the offshore industry, Georgia, Turkey); MRTP-22/U (24m, 55kts: fordable and reliable, the Yonka-Onuk craft
of which more than
50 have been built. Turkey); MRTP 29 (35.6m, 44kts: Turkey); offer high performances in terms of speed,
(All photos via author) MRTP 33 (35.6 m, 44 knots: Georgia, Turkey, manoeuvrability, and seakeeping.
NAVAL FORCES III/2017 33