UAE's coastguard using USV

Al Seer Marine 11 m USV that was unveiled at NAVDEX 2021. (NAVDEX)

The United Arab Emirates' (UAE's) Coast Guard Group contributed an unmanned surface vessel (USV) to the ‘Union Fortress 9' demonstration that was held on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi on 5 November.

‘Union Fortress' is held every year in different locations to show the public the capabilities of the UAE Armed Forces and security organisations.

The USV seen in the television coverage of this year's event looked like the 11 m one unveiled by the local company Al Seer Marine during the NAVDEX show held in Abu Dhabi in February 2021, but had the distinctive stripes used on coastguard vessels and was armed with a remotely operated weapon station.

Al Seer said during NAVDEX 2021 that the USV was equipped with radar, sonar, and light detection and ranging (LIDAR).

L3Harris said the USV was equipped with its ASView advanced autonomous control system, Falcon III high-capacity line-of-sight radio, and a Wescam MX-10MS maritime electro-optical system. It added that the USV can operate fully autonomously as well as be remotely piloted and can reach speeds of more than 40 kt.