A high-speed, stealthy and futuristic shaped boat appeared through the twilight, as if taken out of a science fiction scene. It sliced the water quickly and gracefully, closing-in on the target vessel with extreme agility.  A gun barrel at the bow, kept its aim steady on the same point of the target vessel, in spite of the boat's movement through the water and the swell of the sea, as if it was firmly connected with invisible wire.  A close look would reveal a somewhat surrealistic picture, as no personnel is seen onboard the fast maneuvering boat. Where is the crew that operates this highly-capable patrol boat?

No, it's not science fiction. It is Rafael's 'Protector', an unmanned integrated naval combat system, based on unmanned surface vehicles (USV). Highly autonomous and remotely controlled, Protector is able to conduct a wide spectrum of critical missions, while eliminating unnecessary risk to personnel and capital assets.

Recently, USV have come to center stage, gaining recognition in their potential to effectively carry out a wide variety of missions. In a sense, USV's are following the footsteps of their mature relatives – UAV's, which have proved successful after more than two decades of operation, and have paved the way to wide recognition of the advantages of unmanned vehicles in general. A USV system is transformational in nature; able to carry out diverse missions using its SPEAR** (Stealthy, Penetrating, Enduring, Asymmetric, and Risk-free) characteristics. It provides high operational effectiveness in a wide variety of defense missions, including Anti-terror/Force Protection, ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance), ASuW (Anti-Surface Warfare), ASW (Anti Submarine Warfare) and Mine Warfare.  Moreover, it is highly suitable for homeland security missions related to the maritime domain, including security and anti-terror along coastal areas, in ports, and critical strategic infrastructures.

RAFAEL Ltd., a world leader in advanced weapon systems, has developed a USV based weapon system – the Protector. The Protector's design and implementation is based on the company's extensive experience and know-how in defense technology, as well as its in-depth understanding of the naval arena. Recently the Protector USV has successfully passed extensive trials which validated the maturity of the system, positioning it as a leading operational USV worldwide.

Protector – A Weapon System

The Protector is not merely an unmanned vehicle; it is a full scale, integrated naval combat system that is based on unmanned surface vehicles (USV). This system design approach reduces the significance of the boat itself, and puts the emphasis on the overall system performance and capabilities.

The Protector is made of three main building blocks: First, an unmanned boat that includes the vessel itself and maritime systems. Second, the tactical control system that provides the means for effective control over missions, including the USV and mission modules. Third, the mission modules which are reconfigurable through their plug-and-play design, allowing utilization of a variety of modules adapted to various missions, such as AT/FP, ISR, and MIW.


The Unmanned Boat

The Protector system can be implemented on a variety of platforms, to suit the customers' needs. The current platform is a 9m Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB). The hull is a deep V-shaped planning hull, with the inflatable section providing stability and endurance. A diesel engine is used together with water jet propulsion. The vessel's upper structure is a low profile, sealed, aerodynamic, modular structure enabling the installation of a variety of payloads.

The Protector has a high degree of autonomous capabilities to enable efficient vehicle control with reduced human intervention. Modes and algorithms include semi-autonomous remote control with self-management of sea-path selection under mission definition, navigation under mission planning, obstacle avoidance, and autonomous vessel stabilization and adaptation to weather & sea conditions.


Issues of Control

Controlling an unmanned vehicle is a key element by definition, due to the fact that the platform and the systems are not manned. That is to say that all of them have to be remotely controlled in an efficient and effective way.

From an operational point of view, the Protector is controlled from a control center that can be located in a fixed shore facility, mobile shelter, or on board a ship. The control is done via two control stations: pilot-operator and mission-module-operator. The pilot-operator controls the boat itself. For this his station has a full replica of controls and displays of a vessel, including map display and the location of the vessel on it. Additionally, he can use a computer terminal to issue high-level route commands which include mission planning based way-points and general guidance on maneuvering. Safety elements at his control include a visual display provided by the safety navigation camera on board the platform, navigation lights, and search light. The mission-module-operator's station has the controls and displays of the sensors and systems that are part of the mission module. Depending on the mission module, those can include sensors such as Electro-Optical (EO), Radar, Electronic Warfare (EW) and Sonar, and guns.

From a system-engineering point of view, the control over the whole USV system is divided into two: control over the platform and control over the mission module. This includes separate control computers and separate communication links for each one of them. Thus, the advantage of this design is twofold. First, it provides for complete independence of the mission specific module, serving as an enabler for interchangeable plug-and-play mission modules. Second, it provides a built-in redundancy of the crucial elements including communication links and computer systems, enabling partial operation and retrieval of the vessel in an event of failure.

Currently the Protector has been equipped and tested thoroughly, with an AT/FP mission module. The AT/FP task is to provide protection for ships as well as for coastal areas and off-shore installations. More often than not, the mission profile is that of a maritime patrol, used for monitoring and surveillance purposes. For that purpose, an advanced EO (Rafael's Toplite) is provided in support of the Radar. For high intensity engagements, a weapon station with machine gun (Rafael's Mini-Typhoon) is provided. Facilities for low intensity police-type engagement include searchlight and a public address system that enables communication with nearby personnel.

Mini-Typhoon Weapon Station

The Protector has gone through extensive testing and trials during recent months. Those included technical trials and evaluation, remote controlled firing from the Mini-Typhoon weapon station on-board the Protector, as well as operational sea trials that have been conducted recently.

The operational trial included a typical Anti-Terror Force Protection mission scenario. For the trial the Protector had been configured with AT/FP mission specific module that included the 'Toplite', advanced electro-optical surveillance and designation system, together with the 'Mini-Typhoon' small caliber, stabilized weapon station. During the trial the Protector performed a coastal patrol mission, for which it used its sensors to perform search, detection and identification of targets. Upon detection of a simulated threat vessel, the Protector entered interception mode, maneuvering at high speed with a specific route plan, to encounter the threat, surprisingly and at optimal range. During interception, the Toplite E-O designator served for tracking the target and aiming, while the 'Mini-Typhoon' weapon station switched to slave-mode, to be directed through the EO. Once at firing range from the target, the safety control of the gun was unlocked, to enable. Actual firing test, of the Mini-Typhoon from the Protector USV itself, have also been conducted.

The Protector has proven to be reliable and consistent and performed according to expectations, thus proving to be mature for actual service. As a result the Protector has entered LRIP (Low Rate Initial Production) phase, which will provide several systems for initial customers

Several mission modules are planned for the Protector; each will address specific mission capabilities. Mission modules will enable the Protector to perform tasks such as Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Mine Warfare (MIW), Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), and Anti-terror/Force Protection (AT/FP). The various mission modules are aimed at providing solutions for naval defence applications as well as homeland security in the maritime domain such as costal, ports and inland waterways and critical infrastructures. Additionally, the Protector USV can serve as support for coast guarding and maritime law enforcement tasks.

The mission modules are primarily based on Rafael's Naval Combat Systems, all of which are operational and combat proven. Other unique combat systems are provided by leading manufacturers and are integrated into the specific mission module by Rafael.

Rafael's Protector is an unmanned integrated naval combat system, based on unmanned surface vehicles. Highly autonomous & remotely controlled, the Protector is able to conduct a wide spectrum of critical missions, while eliminating unnecessary risk to personnel and capital assets.

The Protector is an ideal naval weapon system that can perform a wide variety of missions, including Anti-terror/Force Protection, ISR, MIW, ASW, ASuW, and Precision Strike missions; as well as homeland security tasks. The Protector has a unique capability for long and continuous operation, with minimal attrition of manpower and assets, thus minimizing operation and maintenance costs.

Currently the Protector, configured with AT/FP mission module, is ready to enter operational use. Development of other mission modules is underway.

Mini-Typhoon Stabilized naval machine gun system

• Advanced stabilization
• Computerized fire control system
• On-mount camera for day/night operation
• Optimized for highly maneuverable patrol boats

Toplite Multi-sensor optronic payload

• FLIR, CCD and laser range finder capability
• Surveillance and targeting
• Highly stabilized

Additional equipment

• Light Projector
• Public Address system
• Microphone

Control

• Can be operated from sea and/or shore
• Interfaced to Command & Control

Communication

• Data Links
• Video Links

Navigation

• Radar
• GPS
• INS / Gyro

Patrol Vehicle

• Length: 9-11m
• Propulsion: Water Jet
• Engine: Diesel
• Speed:  40 Kts