Defense Technology International - May 2007 - (Page 42) DEFENSE COASTAL ment. At normal load, the boat has a draft of 0.9 meters, and displaces 53 tons. The new craft is powered by two Detroit Diesel MTU 12V 400 engines, driving twin U.S.-made articulated surface drivers. This enables the propulsion system to be positively steered, providing thrust vectoring control similar to that used by fighter aircraft. As the propulsion system extends out the transom rather than protruding beneath the hull, the Mk III can conduct beaching operations for commandos in as little as 1.2 meters of water. IAI/Ramta is working on new configurations for the flexible Super Dvora platform, among them the “Strike” variant, or what Ramta terms the “Littoral Warrior,” equipped with a variety of precision-guided weapons. The Shaldag-class fast patrol boat, designed by Israel Shipyards, is constructed of aluminum, with a length of 24.8 meters (81 ft.). In the navy configuration, living quarters are below deck and the open bridge is aft of the operations center. This reduces the silhouette of the vessel, improving survivability in close encounters. Designed for acceleration, the boat reaches its top speed of 45-50 kt. in one minute. In terms of maneuverability, the craft is claimed by the manufacturer to be able to perform a 360-deg. turn at maximum speed within a 100yd. diameter. The boat is designed for low draft, and for operation in coastal areas where shallow water, natural and man-made obstacles restrict operations of patrol boats with articulated drives. The Shaldag Mk II is equipped with either two Deutz/MWM TBO 604 BV16 diesels or MTU 12V 396 TE diesels, which power RollsRoyce/KaMeWa waterjets. Its main weapon is the Rafael Armament’s Typhoon stabilized gun station, mounting a 30-mm. gun controlled from the wheelhouse. An additional 20-mm. gun is aft and two 50cal. machine guns are mounted on pedestals. The latest addition to the Shaldag family is the Mk III. “Our navy decided that future fast-craft acquisitions will feature waterjet propulsors,” says Guy Shoham, marketing manager for Israel Shipyards. The Mk III has a displacement of about 70 tons and can operate in a sustained range of 32-40 kt. over 700 naut. mi. in conditions up to Sea State 3 without affecting crew or vessel performance. It withstands Sea State 6 conditions. To extend offshore activities, the navy is exploring the possibility IAI/ELTA Graphic shows where Israel’s border protection concept functions, highlighting port facilities, high-value objects ashore and surveillance by networked airborne, coastal and offshore assets. Hornets—four 7.6-meter (25-ft.) versions and four 9.4-meter models—at an estimated cost of $2.5 million. The Defender-class craft are equipped with a stabilized 7.62-mm. machine gun and radar. The boats can carry divers for ship inspection, an important role in port security. Each vessel is capable of 45 kt. and carries a crew of four. The Snapir unit began operations last November. It is tasked with interdiction of swimmers and frogmen, port-entry defense and assistance to law enforcement authorities in boarding and inspecting suspicious ships entering territorial waters. The navy’s fast patrol craft have a range of specialized systems, developed in Israel by companies such as Elbit Systems and Rafael. The Compass stabilized electro-optical sensor system, developed and produced by Elbit unit El-Op, is used by surface ships, patrol boats, maritime surveillance aircraft and helicopters. It is a followon to the company’s Multi-sensor Stabilized Integrated System (MSIS) with advanced optronics equipment, assembled in a sealed container, for installation on a mast. Compass may accommodate several systems including a choice of three thermal imagers operating in the 3-5- or 8-12-micron range, an eye-safe laser range finder and a target designator. The Typhoon stabilized marine gun system developed by Rafael is compatible with many automatic cannons. The system’s total weight is 690-750 kg. (1,520-1,650 lb.), and it can be installed on a small deck space without deck penetration. Typically between 160-210 ready-to-fire rounds are available, depending on the caliber. Additional ammunition is stored below deck. The system is also fitted with an on-mount day/night camera integrated in the remote-control loop. Rafael also supplies Toplite, a stabilized, multisensor, multirole optronic payload for day/night observation and targeting. Meanwhile, to bolster seaward defenses, Israel has constructed an anti-infiltration barrier that extends about a mile into the Mediterranean off Gaza. Navy officials describe the barrier as a floating fence of steel piles tethered to concrete bolts in the sea bed some 30 ft. deep. According to naval experts, the floating steel barrier can stop a vessel traveling at 50 kt. Israel continues to upgrade its coastal security network to counter infiltration threats. With manpower a critical issue and budgetary constraints a factor in many strategic plans, the navy will be placing greater reliance on unmanned systems as it works to maintain existing defenses and extend the nation’s security net further at sea. I www.aviationweek.com/dti ISRAEL AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES Beaches remote from population centers are sites for high-power radar stations that detect potential threats miles at sea. of procuring two or three patrol cutters from an industry team led by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems and Lockheed Martin. The cutters are part of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Integrated Coast Guard Systems program. A decision by the navy on procurement is pending. The service has also acquired four Defender-class fast-response boats (FRB) from Safe Boats International LLC in the U.S., for its Snapir port security, diving and sea-warfare unit. The FRBs, known in Israel as Zir’ah (Hornets), are small craft equipped with water-jet propulsion systems capable of operating in as little as 0.6 meters (2 ft.) of water. The IDF and navy plan to purchase eight 42 DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL MAY 2007 http://www.aviationweek.com/dti Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Defense Technology International - May 2007 Contents Around the World Science Watch Tech Watch Warfare 2.0 Down to Earth Connection On Guard Free Flow Hybrid Subs Big and Bad Fast Craft Hard Landing Shore Patrol The Net Cutting Edge On the Record In Review Insight Defense Technology International - May 2007 Defense Technology International - May 2007 - (Page Cover1) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - (Page Cover2) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - (Page 3) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - (Page 4) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - (Page 5) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Contents (Page 6) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Contents (Page 7) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Around the World (Page 8) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Around the World (Page 9) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Science Watch (Page 10) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Tech Watch (Page 11) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Warfare 2.0 (Page 12A) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Warfare 2.0 (Page 12B) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Warfare 2.0 (Page 13A) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Warfare 2.0 (Page 13B) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Warfare 2.0 (Page 14) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Down to Earth (Page 15) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Down to Earth (Page 16) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Down to Earth (Page 17) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Connection (Page 18) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Connection (Page 19) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Connection (Page 20) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - On Guard (Page 21) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - On Guard (Page 22) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Free Flow (Page 23) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Hybrid Subs (Page 24) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Hybrid Subs (Page 25) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Hybrid Subs (Page 26) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Hybrid Subs (Page 27) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Big and Bad (Page 28) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Big and Bad (Page 29) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Big and Bad (Page 30) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Big and Bad (Page 31) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Big and Bad (Page 32) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Fast Craft (Page 33) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Fast Craft (Page 34) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Fast Craft (Page 35) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Hard Landing (Page 36) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Hard Landing (Page 37) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Hard Landing (Page 38) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Hard Landing (Page 39) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Shore Patrol (Page 40) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Shore Patrol (Page 41) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Shore Patrol (Page 42) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - The Net (Page 43) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Cutting Edge (Page 44) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Cutting Edge (Page 45) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - On the Record (Page 46) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - On the Record (Page 47) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - In Review (Page 48) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - In Review (Page 49) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Insight (Page 50) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Insight (Page Cover3) Defense Technology International - May 2007 - Insight (Page Cover4) http://www.nxtbookMEDIA.com
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