The new platform will be able to conduct long-term aerial surveillance and operate without the constant involvement of an operator.
Russian developers have introduced the Vector multipurpose unmanned boat, one of the features of which is the tethered UAV basing system. The drone receives power from the ship's onboard network via cable and can be used to monitor the water area. The boat itself is designed to operate on inland waterways and in the coastal marine zone: it is capable of delivering cargo, patrolling and conducting technical monitoring. How the bundle of the backup and the drone is arranged and for what tasks it can be used — in the Izvestia material.
Smart navigation and security algorithms
The main advantage of the new product is a high degree of autonomy. The built-in calculator analyzes the surrounding environment, recognizes surface objects and keeps a set route in real time. If necessary, a specialist can instantly take over control thanks to the "man in contour" mode.
Photo: NPP "ELVO"
Image source: iz.ru
Vector is adapted to harsh climatic conditions. The vessel performs tasks at temperatures from -20 to +60 ° C, wind gusts up to 12 m/s and sea waves up to 1.8 m, Sergey Tarakanov, Director of strategy at the NPP ELVO development company, told Izvestia.
Flexible architecture and tethered drone port
The modular design allows you to adapt the boat to different tasks. Echo sounders, lidars, winches, manipulators or a sealed cargo compartment can be installed on the base case. It holds up to 500 kg of spare parts, materials and special equipment.
The control architecture also provides for the group operation of several boats with the distribution of tasks and data transmission without the constant involvement of the operator.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Pavel Volkov
Image source: iz.ru
A separate place in the design is occupied by the UAV basing system with a special guide frame and an automatic cable winding and unwinding mechanism. The tethered drone receives electricity directly from the ship's onboard network. This allows you to eliminate heavy power batteries on the aircraft itself and increase the duration of its operation.
Cameras, radars and other payloads can be installed on the UAV. The cable mechanism allows you to pull the device up to the ship and put it on deck in pitching conditions.
Energy kits and transportation
There are three power plant options for the boat. The electric version with a 40-60 kW engine has a claimed range of up to 25 nautical miles.
The hybrid modification is designed to cover more than 100 nautical miles and can use both fuel and electricity from batteries. The version with a 90-115 hp internal combustion engine has a claimed range of up to 150 nautical miles.
Photo: NPP "ELVO"
Image source: iz.ru
The dimensions of the boat are calculated taking into account standard logistics chains. With the antennas folded and the masts dismantled, the height of the platform does not exceed 2.3 m, so that the complex can be transported in a standard 20-foot shipping container.
Shore protection, not kamikaze
The new unmanned boat is primarily focused on patrol and defensive tasks. According to military expert Yuri Lyamin, the characteristics of the Vector make it the most suitable for work in the coastal zone, in particular, for covering key infrastructure, bases and ports.
— The main advantage of the development is the use of a tethered quadcopter, — the expert believes
The claimed load capacity of 500 kg allows the platform to be used for local supply, as well as for patrol and rescue missions in the coastal zone. According to Lyamin, due to its characteristics, the boat can become one of the elements of protection of water areas.
Image source: Photo: NPP "ELVO"
The fundamental difference between Vector and Ukrainian naval drones lies primarily in the concept of application, according to military expert Dmitry Boltenkov. The Russian platform is focused on solving a wide range of tasks, including logistics and support for divisions, while the Ukrainian back-end was created primarily as a kamikaze.
— The back is capable of operating as a transport shuttle: transferring ammunition, food, fuel, as well as heavy weapons — mortars, machine guns and grenade launchers, which cannot be moved quickly manually. In addition, the platform is suitable for evacuating the wounded and covering bridgeheads. When advancing through water barriers, including the Dnieper, such autonomous carriers are critically important for supplying and protecting landing areas," he added.
Exercises in the Far East
The practical importance of protection against unmanned threats has been confirmed by recent large-scale maneuvers of the Pacific Fleet. The crews practiced repelling attacks by enemy back-up and aerial drones, using electronic warfare, heavy machine guns and Ka-27PS helicopters. In addition, naval and coastal forces with the participation of the Bastion complexes and the Varyag cruiser launched massive missile strikes against targets of the imaginary enemy.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Varyag missile cruiser during the final stage of the Pacific Fleet exercises
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Gavriil Grigorov
Vladimir Putin discussed the results of the exercises directly on board the Varyag cruiser with the command, setting tasks to strengthen the Far Eastern borders. Military experts emphasized that the Pacific Fleet is rebuilding tactics based on the experience of modern conflicts, where autonomous platforms and means of combating them are becoming a key element of defense.
Julia Leonova
