Presenting a range of advanced maritime solutions including its BlueWhale autonomous submarine
During UDT 2024 in London (which will take place from 9-11 April 2024), Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will demonstrate a wide range of innovative, ground-breaking and cost-effective defence solutions that provide combat-proven and decisive performance for undersea defence and maritime applications.
At the forefront of its offerings this year will be the Israeli-developed uncrewed submarine, the BlueWhale. This large uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV) has successfully conducted thousands of hours of submerged autonomous covert intelligence-gathering operation, to detect submarines and gather acoustic intelligence.
The BlueWhale UUV uses radar and electro-optical systems, fitted on a telescopic mast, to detect sea and coastal targets, and is also equipped with dedicated sonars to enable detection of both manned and unmanned submarines, as well as map mines on the seabed. At the accompanying conference, IAI-ELTA and and Atlas Elektronik representatives will present a detailed account of the BlueWhale-ASW system performance at REPMUS and DYMS 2023
Another innovative ASW system, presented for the first time, is a MAD (Magnetic Anomaly Detector) installed on a high endurance drone. Apart from mine detection, the system is envisaged as a task force forward scout against submarines.
In addition, IAI will be exhibiting the ICS – the Integrated Communication & Surveillance System for submarines. Integrating multiple functions into a single mast, the ICS performs optical surveillance, radar warning and detection and monitoring of GPS, voice and other communications transmissions between ships, land or airborne platforms, and also incorporates a SATCOM link to allow the submarine to communicate with other taskforce vessels. The ICS transforms a submarine into an effective taskforce member with highly developed ISR and communications capabilities – while maintaining optimal stealth.
IAI will also present its line of combat-proven SATCOM solutions for submarines, including a wideband / narrowband SATCOM datalink – ELTA’s ELK-1882, designed to enable bi-directional wideband voice and data communications; and a SATCOM network system for submarines – the NC² SATCOM Network Terminal, which provides submarines with secure and reliable Beyond-Line-Of-Sight (BLOS) voice, video and data communications in point-to- point network configurations.
Boaz Levy, IAI’s President and CEO said: “IAI looks forward to participating in the 2024 UDT Undersea Technology Exhibition. We are offering a broad range of technological advanced systems and solutions for the undersea arena.”
Israel Lupa, IAI Vice President and acting Head of ELTA division said: “The BlueWhale AUV is an important member of IAI’s maritime products family, which include solutions for use in Economic Exclusion Zones, tools for managing autonomous vessels, and their integration in monitoring the maritime arena.“
