Elbit Systems to supply Seagull USVs to navy of Asia-Pacific country

Israeli company Elbit Systems announced on 13 January that it has secured a contract to provide Seagull unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) to the navy of an undisclosed country in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Haifa-based company said that under the contract, which is to be performed over a 17-month period, it will provide Seagull systems “specifically configured to perform mine countermeasures (MCM) missions while facilitating the option to add technology modules needed for anti-submarine warfare (ASW)” operations.

A Seagull USV performing an end-to-end MCM demonstration in 2017 as part of the Belgian Navy’s North Sea unmanned MCM trials. Manufacturer Elbit Systems announced on 13 January that it had secured a contract to supply Seagull USVs to an undisclosed navy in the Asia-Pacific region. (Elbit Systems)

The company said the Seagull USVs will be fitted with side-scan and forward-looking sonars and include remotely operated vehicles designed for mine identification and destruction.

The USVs will also be equipped with Elbit’s autonomous command-and-control (C2) suite, combat management system, and satellite communication capability, the company noted, adding that the USVs will “enable the customer’s navy to execute end-to-end MCM operations, handling bottom, moored, and drifting sea mines”.

No details were provided about the number of USVs on order or the value of the contract.