Elbit to provide Seagull drone ships to Navy of Asia-Pacific country

The company will provide systems configured for mine countermeasure missions as well as for possible installation of anti-submarine warfare technology

Elbit to provide Seagull drone ships to Navy of Asia-Pacific country

The Seagull. Photo: Elbit

Elbit Systems announced Wednesday that it was awarded a contract to supply Seagull unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) to the Navy of a country in the Asia-Pacific region. The contract, valued at an amount that is not material to Elbit Systems, will be performed over a 17-month period, the Israeli company said.

Under the contract, Elbit will provide systems that are configured for mine countermeasure (MCM) missions as well as for possible installation of technology modules needed for anti-submarine warfare. The USVs will have side-scan and forward-looking sonars, as well as mine identification and destruction remotely operated vehicles, according to Elbit.  

The USVs will also be equipped with the company’s autonomous suite, combat management system and satellite communication capability. The Seagulls will enable the customer’s Navy to execute end-to-end MCM operations, handling bottom, moored and drifting sea mines. The drone ship can operate for four days in conditions of up to Sea-State 5, and several of the vessels can be operated from the same mission control system, the company said.

Elad Aharonson, General Manager of Elbit Systems ISTAR, said "There is a growing recognition of the essentiality of autonomous capabilities to perform a range of maritime missions, especially Mine Counter Measures and Anti-Submarine Warfare. The Seagull USV has proven, since 2017, its capability to perform such missions, providing Naval forces with increased mission effectiveness, reduced risk and better cost-efficiency."

Photo: Elbit