Atlas Elektronik UK (AEUK), a provider of defense technology solutions, has announced that it has successfully delivered an ARCIMS multi-role Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) to the German Naval Technical Centre, WTD71, based within the Eckernfoerde Naval Base. This follows the recent success in 2015 where AEUK secured a major contract with the UK MoD to supply the Royal Navy with an Autonomous Minesweeping Capability.
The ARCIMS USV is an 11m platform with a large open deck space and a 4 tonne payload capacity. It has been specifically designed for unmanned military applications with a shock resistant hull and a low platform underwater signature. The high tow performance across a wide speed range assists minesweeping and towed sonar operations. The cathedral hull and twin jet propulsion provides a manoeuvrable yet stable platform with a top speed of over 40 knots.
The USV is part of the ARCIMS Mission System that includes a range of reconfigurable Mission Modules to deliver MCM and Hydrographic operations, ASW, Maritime Security and Force Protection.
The German Navy has a requirement to assess the use of unmanned mine countermeasure (MCM) systems. WTD71, the Bundeswehr Technical Centre for Ships and Naval Weapons, is responsible for the development and evaluation of such equipment from pre-phase to service use.
The ARCIMS USV can be operated remotely, autonomously or as a manned platform and offers the flexibility to test and evaluate a range sweep equipment as well as the deployment of off-board payloads. This procurement will help WTD71 to develop their next generation unmanned minesweeping and mine hunting solutions including the evaluation of the ARCIMS USV itself as a candidate platform.
AEUK’s record of ARCIMS sales now includes the recent order with the UK MoD for an Autonomous Minesweeping Mission System deployed from the HUNT Class MCMV, two Portable Minesweeping Systems for a Middle East navy, a Mine Hunting System for the Royal Navy, and the ARCIMS USV for WTD71 Germany.
Furthermore, AEUK is aiming to secure additional contracts within Asia in 2016.
Mario Pohl, Vice President Sales Germany states: “The whole ATLAS Group welcome the opportunity to support WTD71 with their future developments and look forward to further collaboration within forthcoming European projects”.
