Seagull USV Demonstrates Anti-Submarine Warfare Capabilities

Published: 16 May 2019 | Author: Mike Rees

Elbit Systems has announced that during an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) exercise conducted with the Hellenic Navy, the Israeli Navy recently deployed its Seagull Multi-Mission Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) in an ASW configuration that included an onboard Helicopter Long-Range Active Sonar (HELRAS) dipping sonar.

A deployment in this configuration took place approximately three months after the Israeli Navy completed a Sea Acceptance Test (SAT) for a HELRAS dipping sonar that was successfully converted for operation onboard its Seagull.

The Seagull’s performance in the exercise demonstrated that operating a dipping sonar onboard such a vessel significantly increases the operational working time while substantially enhancing detection capabilities and the effectiveness of Anti-Submarine Warfare.

The Seagull autonomous multi-mission surface vessel features switchable, modular mission payload suites and can perform, in addition to ASW, Mine Countermeasure missions (MCM), Electronic Warfare (EW), Maritime Security (MS), Hydrography and other missions using the same vessel, mission control system and data links. Seagull offers navies a true force multiplier delivering enhanced performance to naval operations, reducing risk to human life and cutting procurement and operating costs.