DSEi in Brief

Kelvin Hughes announced that it has been awarded a contract by Hyundai Heavy Industries to supply the Integrated Navigation Bridge System (INBS) for The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Maritime Sustainment Capability (MSC) Vessel.

The INBS system meets the requirements of IMO Lloyds Register Class Notation IBS and naval ship code. It includes a dual redundant data distribution system and fully integrated Kelvin Hughes multifunction displays. The radar system takes advantage of the Kelvin Hughes’ advanced solid state SharpEye Doppler radars that bring full situational awareness to the bridge even in the most severe weather conditions.

Sales and marketing director at Kelvin Hughes, Spike Hughes stated, “Kelvin Hughes has been designing integrated navigation bridge systems for over three decades and has a wealth of experience which enables us to meet the demanding requirements of specialist naval bridges for the RNZN and also the Royal Navy’s Royal Fleet Auxiliary Tide Class”.

The MSC tanker is the New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF) future ice-capable fleet replenishment tanker and will be the largest vessel to be operated by the RNZN. With a scheduled delivery of the ship in 2020 by Hyundai Heavy Industries and the RNZN planning to induct the vessel in 2021, Kelvin Hughes will supply the bridge system for installation in 2018. The MSC vessel was approved by the government of New Zealand in June 2014 allowing the tender to be released in March 2015. The contract was awarded to Hyundai Heavy Industries in July that year for USD 493 million and the vessel will be built at the Ulsan Shipyard in South Korea.

The scope of work includes the design and integration of the Kelvin Hughes supplied navigation equipment and shipyard supplied systems in a suite of bridge consoles manufactured in Korea.

Elbit Systems’ Seagull USV Demonstrated Live Remotely Operated ASW Mission

Seagull, Elbit Systems’ multi mission Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) system, demonstrated live, a remotely operated Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) mission. Via Satellite Communication (SATCOM), the Seagull platform, sailing in the Haifa Bay, Israel, performed the operational ASW mission using control consoles situated some 3,515km away in Elbit Systems booth.

Operating its Dipping Sonar and Elbit Systems proprietary software, Seagull performed real-time detections and classification of objects, demonstrating capability to deter and dissuade hostile subsurface activity. The Seagull team included two operators, a USV operator and sonar operator.

Seagull is a 12-metre long USV that can be operated from a mother-ship or from shore stations. It provides multi-mission capabilities including ASW, Mine Hunting & Mine Sweeping (MCM), Electronic Warfare (EW), maritime security and underwater commercial missions, leveraging modular mission system installation and offering a high level of autonomy. It features inherent C4I capabilities for enhanced situation awareness and mission endurance of more than four days.

Lockheed Martin UK Unveiled Training Solutions for AJAX

Lockheed Martin UK on September 14 showcased innovative training solutions for the British Army’s AJAX armoured vehicle programme.

Lockheed Martin recently passed its critical design review (CDR) for the new systems, locking down the design with prime contractor General Dynamics Land Systems–UK.

The solutions will allow crews to become familiar with the controls, weapon systems and operation of the AJAX turret as they progress from a classroom environment through to live vehicle exercises.

Lockheed Martin UK was awarded USD 1 billion contract by General Dynamics Land Systems–UK to design, manufacture and test 245 turrets for AJAX in October 2014. The training element of the contract requires delivery of a suite of systems, courseware material and manuals to provide progressive training to the military operators and maintainers of the turret.

Programme director at Lockheed Martin UK, Lee Fellows said, “Completing the Lockheed Martin CDR for our elements of the training solutions is a significant achievement and another major milestone for us on the AJAX programme. We’ve finalised the design of the systems that will provide a complete gunnery and ISTAR training cycle for the turret crews.

“We have now invested more than Euro 23 million in our site, making us a turret centre of excellence and a unique capability in the UK,” added Lee.

The first training solutions are on track to be delivered into GDUK by Lockheed Martin by the end of this year.

Kelvin Hughes Showcased Next Evolution of Drone Detection Technology

A world leader in radar systems Kelvin Hughes demonstrated its next evolution drone detecting and tracking technology, the SMS-D (D stands for drone). The SMS-D is a dedicated drone detection and tracking system now featuring a thermal camera and video tracker that acquires the drone target using the initial radar detection information.

The bene