BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin and Rafael Armament Development Authority, Ltd., have announced the arrival of the Protector Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) in the U.S. The companies will be demonstrating the USV's force protection capabilities to the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard and other maritime security agencies.Protector is a remote-controlled USV that is equipped with a stabilized mini-Typhoon weapon system (MK 49 Mod 0), cameras, radar equipment and electro optics. Highly autonomous, the Protector can successfully operate with general guidance from a commander and operator in port, riverine, harbor and coastal waterways - making it an innovative solution for today's critical missions, including force protection, anti-terror, and surveillance and reconnaissance.
The Protector was developed by Rafael in response to emerging terrorist threats against maritime assets, and is the only operational USV that exists today. "The Protector has performed exceptionally well in the Persian Gulf and Mediterranean," said Steve Kelly, director of BAE Systems Naval Systems in Minneapolis. "This system is ready and available today to meet the needs of our maritime security and defense forces."
The Protector USV was featured at the U.S. Special Operations Command trade show in Tampa Bay, Fla., in June, and will be demonstrated in Little Creek, Va, San Diego, and Washington, D.C. in the coming months. 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.
"We're excited to introduce this unmanned system to the U.S.," said Sean Patton, senior manager of Lockheed Martin's LCS Business Development team. "The Protector will provide Sailors with the capabilities they need to complete their missions more efficiently. 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."
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.