Elbit Systems unveils new Seagull USV system for maritime warfare missions

Elbit Systems has unveiled Seagull, its new multi-mission unmanned surface vehicle (USV) system, designed to revolutionise the dynamics of underwater warfare.

The company is said to have made use of its experience in designing, developing and operating unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), as well as its naval capabilities to introduce the new platform.

The 12m-long Seagull USV can be deployed for a range of missions, including electronic warfare (EW), surface force protection, hydrographical missions, in addition to the core mine counter measures (MCM), and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions.

The organic, modular, highly autonomous, multi-mission USV is equipped with replaceable mission modules, with two vessels capable of being operated and controlled at the same time using a single mission control system (MCS) from manned ships or from the shore.

The sailing suite is fitted with the patented autonomous navigation system (ANS), with obstacle avoidance, which complies with the international regulations for preventing collisions at sea.

The system is also incorporated with C4I capabilities to augment its situational awareness, while allowing it to remain sea-borne for more than 96h.

Additionally, the USV can be used for mission planning and on-line operation in known and unknown areas, including a range of functions, including area survey, search, detection, classification, identification, neutralisation, and verification.

Seagull is designed to be able to scan the entire stretch of water, as well as operating underwater vehicles to track and terminate mines.

In April 2015, Elbit Systems of America was selected by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) to install, integrate and support flight evaluations of its colour helmet display and tracking system (CHDTS) on the US Navy's MH-60S Seahawk test aircraft.