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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Israeli navy to deploy speedboat drone |
| 2005-10-20 |
| The Navy has revealed it is deploying an unmanned speedboat equipped with a remote-controlled machine gun capable of being operated up to a range of 20 kilometers, reportedly the first of its kind in the world Developed by Rafael, the nine-meter-long, rigid hull, inflatable vessel is being called the "Protector" and has been undergoing sea trials for a number of months. Navy officials said it has "already drawn blood" but declined to elaborate. They stressed that the unmanned boat was an "all-Israeli" assembly. Developers also said the "Protector" could be used to ferry commandos, as well as contribute to anti-terrorist protection. Each of the "Protectors" 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 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. Developers said the pilot of the vessel would be an officer (but not necessary a naval officer) who would go through a one-week training course. A second "mission module operator" would be responsible for its mission - be it surveillance or offensive. Some, according to foreign reports, are equipped with offensive weapons used to target Palestinian terrorists. It also has begun deploying remote-controlled vehicles along the security fence in the West Bank. |
| Posted by:wonderer |
| #2 The thought just crossed my mind that what they need next is a remote prison barge. That is, since not all potential targets are clean-cut FOF. So this first remote speedboat approaches an unknown vessel. A megaphone orders it to heave to. If it complies, then its crew are ordered to abandon ship onto the prison barge. Sensors could then detect remotely if anyone is left aboard the ship. If not a robot could be hoist aboard to look for contraband or booby traps, all without endangering any coast guard personnel. The ships captain could even show his papers to a camera on the barge, to verify the vessel. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2005-10-20 17:58 |
| #1 Sure beats strapping a bomb on your child (unless you are Muslime). |
| Posted by: hodiak47 2005-10-20 13:31 |