Meggitt Achieves World First With a Swarm of 16
Published on June 2, 2010
June 01, 2010, Medicine Hat Alberta… The first in the world, Meggitt Training Systems successfully operated a swarm of sixteen hammerheads, simultaneously on May 18, 2010 at the Esquimault Canadian Navy Base off of Vancouver Island, BC; Designed to replicate a multi-vehicle swarm threat, this sophisticated unmanned surface vehicle (USV) is controlled by the STANAG Universal Target Control Station (UTCS) 5.0, allowing it to communicate and control up to sixteen vehicles- each control station is able to communicate with 4 systems, 4 controls were linked to enable a simultaneous swarm. Powered by a 3.0 Liter, 4 cylinder inboard gas engine capable of reaching 35 knots in sea state 3 and 25 in sea state 5, the Hammerhead is an advanced technology that allows the UVS cluster in Southeast Alberta to grow and provide sustainable opportunities to “A” teams in the region.
“On the Pacific Ocean just off the shore of Vancouver Island, a total of 16 hammerhead unmanned surface vehicles functioned together in a coordinated fashion for several hours, “ said Dewar Donnithorne- Tait, CEO at Canadian Centre for Unmanned Vehicles. “As far as I'm aware, this is the first time that 16 fully functional unmanned systems have been operated in a coordinated fashion at the same time. In other words, this represents another breakthrough in unmanned systems command and control. What was particularly impressive is that all the key elements taking part in the exercise came from Canadian sources.”
A cost effective kill target with payload options including: Miss Distance Indication (MDI) scoring, video telemetry, and radar augmentation, the UTCS allows the entire mission and vehicle telemetry data to be recorded and later reviewed. The hull, composed of award winning composites adds strength and capitalizes on the surface effect design for greater maneuverability and performance at extreme speeds.
"DRDC Suffield congratulates Meggitt on their successful demonstration of the Hammerhead sea surface target, as it is a most significant accomplishment to provide this type of capability to enhance Canadian Forces training," said Terry Meidinger, Technology Advancement Manager, DRDC Suffield. “As the initial design and development of maritime unmanned vehicles was undertaken at Suffield, the Meggitt products are an example of successful technology transfer from government R&D to Canadian industry.The Hammerhead is the latest in a long line of unmanned vehicle products that Meggitt provides to the Canadian Forces in addition to foreign military sales.”
The UVS cluster in Southeast Alberta is growing and providing sustainable business opportunity. With access to Defence Research & Defence Canada, Canadian Centre for Unmanned Vehicle Systems and Meggitt Training Systems, the region is providing a competitive advantage for industry to develop and test their innovation. The Economic Development Alliance of Southeast Alberta encourages companies to join the stable UVS industry located in our region. For more information on the technology leaders in UVS contact the EDA at 403-488-7015 or info@edalliance.ca