Talisman comes up from the deep
Richard Scott
BAE Systems Underwater Systems has offered a first glimpse of an improved version of its Talisman multi-mission unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) at IDEX 2007.
Talisman forms part of BAE Systems’ wider approach to ‘intelligent autonomy’ across the air, land and sea domains. A first prototype began trials in mid-2005 and has since been used as a proof-of-concept system to demonstrate how a future multi-mission UUV might contribute to a broad range of missions in the underwater battlespace.
With the benefit of significant trials experience behind it, BAE Systems has now started work on the design and manufacture of a second-generation Talisman-M system, a model of which is on display at OD140. This reduces the vehicle’s overall dimensions, and brings its weight below 1,000kg, without compromising on the 500kg payload offered by the current vehicle.
Changes are also being introduced to the vehicle body. Instead of the ‘faceted’ flat panel construction used in the prototype, Talisman-M will use a more streamlined threepart monocoque shell manufactured by Lola Composites.
According to BAE Systems, Talisman-M will be able to operate in water depths of as little as 5m, and down to 300m. The model shows a retractable mast, which could be raised above the water line to enable above-water connectivity and intelligence collection. Equipped with a minehunting sonar, and carrying up to four Archerfish mine neutraliser vehicles, it could offer an organic capability to detect, classify and destroy mines.
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