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BAE Systems has launched its first unmanned autonomous submarine to detect and deal with the growing threat of explosive mines hidden in shallow coastal waters, the company said. The 50-kilogram (110-pound) vessel, the Talisman L, uses high-definition forward and sideways looking sonars, as well as a host of multiview cameras. It has a high degree of maneuverability—it can turn within its own length and is able to operate at depths of 100 meters for up to 12 hours.
With a top speed of more than five knots, it can hover and move around in any direction.
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BAE Talisman
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“While open water threats remain significant, there is an increasing need for a threat detection capability in confined coastal areas. With our new Talisman L we are providing a way of protecting our service men and women in these port and harbour environments,” said Paul Laity, naval programs director at BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies. “Talisman L can be deployed from almost any vessel, including rigid inflatable boats, and can be controlled either from a stand-alone console or integrated into a command ship’s Combat Management System, saving space and increasing operational effectiveness.”
The submarine can operate autonomously, using pre-set mission parameters, but operators can assume manual control at any time giving it significant tactical flexibility and command oversight.
Talisman L is one of a range of Talisman autonomous unmanned vehicles that share open platform architectures, mission system components and command and training infrastructures.
One of the key features of the Talisman L is its ability to become a payload for the much larger “mother ship” Talisman M unmanned submarine. This combination allows operators to undertake a fully integrated approach to mine counter-measures, from detection through to neutralization.
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BAE Systems www.baesystems.com
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