Posted on 06/26/2006 8:24:20 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Rafael markets “Protector” unmanned boat in US
The unmanned naval patrol vehicle is the only one of its kind in the world
Ran Dagoni, Washington 25 Jun 06 17:03
Rafael Armament Development Authority Ltd. launched one of its largest marketing efforts in the US last week for its Protector unmanned naval patrol vehicle to the US Navy and Department of Homeland Security. The Protector is the first boat of its kind in the world.
Rafael USA VP business development Dr. Patrick Bar-Avi, a senior company engineer, told “Globes” that the Protector held its first performance demonstration at Tampa Bay, Florida, for the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and other Navy officers.
Bar-Avi said, “We demonstrated the Protector’s capabilities as an important tool for coastal and harbor defense, locating sensitive coastal installations, and intercepting suspicious vessels. The Protector’s potential has not yet been maximized. For the Navy, unmanned ships are like initial unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). Navies worldwide are only now beginning to examine the possible uses of such vehicles, and the possibilities are endless.”
This is the first time that the Protector has been demonstrated in the US. Rafael joined forces with BAE Systems plc (LSE:BA) and Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:LMT) for the Protector’s marketing campaign in the US civilian and military market. “Our partners were a great help in providing customers,” said Bar-Avi.
It is almost impossible for a non-US company to penetrate the US defense market without a partnership agreement with US defense contractors. Rafael’s advantage in the new unmanned patrol boat market is that the Protector is the only operational system of its kind in the world, and is in service with two navies.
Like to see the standard .50 cal upgraded with a short-range missile system or sub-surface munitions. The fifty will punch holes in a whole lot of stuff, but is no good against a larger target (or one that is submerged).
"It is almost impossible for a non-US company to penetrate the US defense market without a partnership agreement with US defense contractors."
Really? I thought all you had to do was hire a minority citizen to be the president of your company so that you can get 8A status and peddle your product thru sole-source govt contracts.
Actually,that's a mini-version of a family of stabilised weapon systems which consists of guns upto a calibre of 30 mm & can also include Spike-ER SSMs or Stinger Sams.
http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/naval/typhoon/Typhoon.html
Spooky.
I wonder if you can raise the thing on channel 16? At least it probably won't pull you over and ask to see your safety gear.
I hope it has respect for private commerce. Tampa Bay, for instance, has lots of traffic.
"Like to see the standard .50 cal upgraded with a short-range missile system or sub-surface munitions. The fifty will punch holes in a whole lot of stuff, but is no good against a larger target (or one that is submerged)."
Toss an Aegis on it.
Also, put enhanced radioactivity monitors and advanced video on them, place them in 100 miles increments along the coastline.
It seems designed for light duty - to take out drug and people traffickers at sea.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.