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Gull promises speedy interface
Monday, 10 September, 2007
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)take many forms, but Warrior (Aero-Marine) features an unusual development on Stand 205. The company’s 2.7m-long Gull 24 is designated a UXV by the UK Ministry of Defence — the ‘X’ indicating a combination of both aerial and surface capabilities.
Experienced in designing offshore racing craft and a manned seaplane using new-concept hull forms, Warrior has successfully trialled the Gull 24 UXV in a wide range of sea and wind conditions. These proved the design to be both docile and outstandingly seaworthy.
Indeed, the company’s ongoing trials of surface launch and recovery systems have brought within close reach the objective of a practical UAV system suited for integration to ship. Under a Defence Technology Council contract, Warrior has worked with Roke Manor Research to develop sensing technologies to aid automated management of the Gull when operating in surface mode.
The Gull 24 opens an array of new concepts of operations and maritime objectives not considered before. Warrior’s managing director James Labouchere observed: “As a result of attaching a robust vessel capability to aircraft speed and range, Warrior is generating new ways to add value to unmanned systems.” The Gull UXV can extend the reach of maritime payloads that can be brought to bear faster, closer and more persistently by switching between air and water and relocating at high speed.
The Gull trials addressed and overcame many challenging automation and integration issues including interfacing with ship, without imposing on its airspace by leaving and approaching at speed, while on the surface. This enables simultaneous operation of UAVs and other aerial systems including aircraft, helicopters and munitions.
Being able to rapidly switch between surface and airborne roles and to relocate on the surface using aircraft speeds (typically four or five times the speed of equivalent vessels), the Gull can achieve what otherwise requires at least two systems.Warrior is now focused on the 4.5m Gull 36, planned to be a series of seaplane UAVs for contrasting payload and range objectives. These will include airborne and surface operated EO/IR and ISTA tasks as well as dipping and towed sonar.
 The proof of concept Gull 24 has sponson floats that facilitate stability during operation on water surfaces |