IAI Unveil New Unmanned Surface Vessel

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) unveils its new Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) combat marine system - "Katana" for Homeland Security (HLS) applications.

The Katana USV supports a wide range of applications for HLS and the protection of exclusive economic zones, including - harbor security, patrol of shallow coastal and territorial waters, surface and electronic warfare and offshore platform protection (plus oil rigs, pipelines, and more).

A multifunction vessel, the Katana is compatible with IAI's various systems and supports a totally integrated solution. This features unmanned capabilities which provide a response for the entire range of naval applications and revolutionizes maritime operations.

The system dual operational mode allows for fully autonomous operation controlled via an advanced command and control station, as well as for a manned combat operational mode. Based on a proven operational implementation of a USV system, Katana allows for the execution of a wide variety of missions. It can provide an early-warning situation picture, classifying, identifying and tracking targets - including those far away, and eventually intercepting them if required.

Katana's features include autonomous navigation, collision avoidance, advanced control system and more. The vessel is equipped with various payloads (including electro-optical), communication systems, radio (Line of Site, LOS, or NLOS), radar and weapon systems. The modular design of the systems allows for configurational and operational flexibility as well as for adaption to a variety of missions, customer requirements and needs.

Based on IAI's extensive experience in converting existing vessels into USVs, Katana can be developed based on an existing platform or as a new one. Katana joins IAI's family of unmanned systems in space, the air, on land and at sea, enhancing customers' operational capabilities with entirely interoperable solutions.