Thales, ASV Develop Unmanned Minewarfare Vehicle
Thales UK has signed a contract with Autonomous Surface Vehicles Ltd (ASV Ltd) to develop a re-configurable Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) to meet the challenges of future off-board Mine Countermeasures (MCM) operations. The low signature USV, which is 11.5m in length and 3.6m in beam, will have a maximum speed of around 25 knots. The vehicle is now under construction and will be undergoing acceptance trials later this year. A series of payload trials will be conducted from early 2013 onwards, drawing on experience gained in previous off-board system programmes.
RINA New Environmental & Security Standards
Genova-based classification society RINA has introduced new voluntary standards which will allow ships to connect to shore-based electricity while in port, reducing harbour air pollution. And at the same session of its Technical Committee it approved a series of new standards aimed at improving security standards for yachts. The new notation HVSC - High Voltage Shore Connection - sets standards to design into a newbuilding or modify an existing ship so that electricity can be supplied from the shore to the ship for the operation of the ship's machinery while in port. The diesel generators can be shut down, considerably reducing the ship's emissions.