Barracuda Exported to the Seas of South Korea
Published on September 10, 2010
September 10, 2010, Medicine Hat Alberta...Developed to simulate naval warfare the Barracuda Sea Surface Target System was tested in Elkwater, Alberta by Meggitt Training Systems Canada in preparation for exportation to the South Korean Navy. Operating at speeds up to 36+ knots in a sea state 3 (SS3), the Barracuda is an unmanned high speed boat target, used to replicate navel tactics as well as progressive mine sweeping operations and mobile, onshore, underwater warfare. Controlled by a Universal Target Control Station (UTCS) - a system enabling position data from the onboard Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to be tracked and relayed back to the command centre; the Barracuda is one of many Defence Research and Development (DRDC) products that now contribute $60 million back into the Canadian economy.
“The Barracuda target development was initiated at DRDC Suffield to replicate a fast patrol boat, which can pose a serious threat to naval warships.The Barracuda can simulate this threat during Navy training exercises at sea,” said Terry Meidinger, Technology Advancement Manager for DRDC. “The Barracuda and other unmanned vehicle systems developed at Suffield provide the Canadian Forces with realistic threat targets to enhance training exercises at Canadian military ranges. This often negates the need to travel to foreign ranges to carry out training that will ensure personnel and weapon system readiness.”
Manufactured in Canada; this navy-standard, rigid inflatable boat (RIB) is exported to international clients in: Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Germany, and Japan as well as their allied countries. The Barracuda is outfitted with visual, radar and laser signature enhancements, used to simulate threats, as well as capable of towing a number of target systems, operating as a decoy or performing in maritime mine countermeasure exercises.
Meggitt accomplished a world first when creating a universal control station that can be used in conjunction to control up to 16 vehicles; the Barracuda and Hammerhead is one example of how a self-contained portable system can be pre-programmed to simulate a multi-fast inshore attack craft (FIAC) swarm scenario.
“It’s common that different targets are controlled by different stations, what gives us the competitive edge is that all our systems are created with on control station- a world first,” said Dylan Richards, Director of Finance for Meggitt Training Systems Canada. “If you want an incredible target simulation with land, air and sea, we can do it. A lot of our capabilities come from the technology developed 20 years ago by DRDC. We can control sixteen systems, and we’ve proven that.”
Meggitt Training Systems Canada is a component of Meggitt Defense Systems, focused on providing training and defence systems used by militaries, law enforcement and security agencies on a global scale. Located in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Meggitt develops, manufactures, promotes and services high quality virtual training. For more information on Meggitt Training Systems or to view the UVS video highlighting the cluster in southeast Alberta go to www.edalliance.ca.