USV Suppressor

Last updated

Exercicio MINEX-23 (53300396549).jpg
Suppressor X prototype
Class overview
Builders EMGEPRON, Tidewise
OperatorsFlag of Brazil.svg  Brazilian Navy
Building1
General characteristics
Type Unmanned surface vehicle
Displacement
  • Suppressor 7: 5 t (4.9 long tons; 5.5 short tons) [1] [2]
  • Suppressor 11: 8 t (7.9 long tons; 8.8 short tons)
Length
  • Suppressor 7: 7 m (23 ft 0 in) [1] [2]
  • Suppressor 11: 11 m (36 ft 1 in) [1] [2]
Beam
  • Suppressor 7: 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) [1] [2]
  • Suppressor 11: 2.95 m (9 ft 8 in) [1] [2]
Propulsion
  • Suppressor 7: 2 shaftlines with conventional propellers [1] [2]
  • Suppressor 11: 2 waterjet engines [1] [2]
Speed
ComplementNone
Sensors &
processing systems		Navigation radar, 3D LIDAR, PTZ camera and hull multibeam sonar [1] [2]
ArmamentKamikaze AUV/ROV/UAV (optional) [2]

The USV Suppressor is a type of unmanned surface vehicle under construction for the Brazilian Navy. Defined as a "Multi-purpose Unmanned Surface Vehicle" by EMGEPRON, the USV is intended for both civilian and military applications, ranging from hydrographic surveys and environmental monitoring to mine countermeasures, ISR and ASW roles. [2]

Contents

Characteristics

The USV features a navigation radar and a variety of sensors such as 360° LIDAR, FLIR cameras and a hull-mounted multibeam sonar. Additionally, Suppressor features an adaptable rear deck which can carry a ROV, AUV or UAV payload based on current mission configuration. [2] [3] The vessel may be either remotely operated or autonomously follow a pre-programmed route. [1] The USV's control station is packed in a 20-foot container, allowing for operation from vessels such as Tamandaré-class frigates. [4]

Development

The project was developed in a partnership between state-owned enterprise EMGEPRON and Tidewise, a Rio de Janeiro-based startup focused on autonomous maritime systems. [5] It was first presented in October 2023 during the MINEX-23 Brazilian Navy exercise off the coast of Salvador, where a prototype was tasked with mine countermeasures duties. [3] [5] On 7 February 2024, EMGEPRON and Tidewise signed a contract for the construction of the first Suppressor USV, with an estimated cost of R$20 million. The unit would be built in its basic configuration, featuring navigation sensors, multibeam sonar and a ROV, as well as the development of an Application Programming Interface for communications. Delivery of the first unit is expected towards the end of 2025. [6]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "USV SUPPRESSOR Multi-purpose Unmanned Surface Vehicle" (PDF). EMGEPRON.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "USV SUPPRESSOR". EMGEPRON.
  3. 1 2 João Paulo Moralez (6 November 2023). "A vez dos veículos não tripulados para a Marinha do Brasil" (in Portuguese). Tecnologia & Defesa.
  4. ↑ "USV Suppressor". Tidewise.
  5. 1 2 "Emgepron apresenta embarcação autônoma durante a Operação MINEX-2023" (in Portuguese). Poder Naval. 24 October 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  6. ↑ "Emgepron e TideWise acordam termos para construção do USV Suppressor" (in Portuguese). Poder Naval. 7 February 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
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