EDGE, IAI to jointly develop unmanned surface vessels

EDGE  Group, an advanced technology company for defence and beyond, on Thursday entered a strategic agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Israel’s major aerospace and aviation manufacturer, to jointly design a first-in-class series of 170 m-USV (modular-unmanned surface vessels) for the entire range of military and commercial applications.

EDGE is leveraging its entity, ADSB, the regional leader in the design, new build, repair, maintenance, refit and conversion of naval and commercial vessels, to collaborate with the Israeli defence company to develop the state-of-the-art USVs. While ADSB will design the platform, integrate the control systems and payload, and develop the concept of operations (CONOPS), IAI will develop the autonomous control system and integrate various mission-payloads to the control system units according to the mission requirements.

Comprising advanced sensors, sonars and imaging systems that are integrated into a unified command and control system, the USV can operate either remotely, semi-autonomously or autonomously, requiring no human intervention. Designed to suit all customers’ requirements, the bespoke vessel will offer unique capabilities in terms of modularity, payload, range, maneuverability, and performance.

Military applications for the USV include intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, border and littoral zone patrol, maritime security operations, mine detection and sweeping, submarine detection and anti-submarine warfare, deployment platform for VTOL vehicles and can also be customised for commercial applications such as oceanography, pollution monitoring, oil and gas exploration, transportation of materials and liquids, search and rescue, fire-fighting and first interventions.

Faisal Al Bannai, CEO and Managing Director of EDGE Group, said, “It is an important milestone for EDGE to forge collaborations with leading defence players such as IAI to strengthen our advanced technology portfolio.” He added, “Through this strategic alliance, we can ensure optimal autonomous operational solutions that minimise risk to human life, address key challenges for various industries, and enable a secure future for all. These developments will open many doors for us in local and global markets, military and commercial alike.”

Boaz Levy, President and CEO of IAI, said, “We are proud to join hands with EDGE in this endeavour, which is another step towards our growing efforts and partnership in the region. This MoU brings together the best technological knowhow from both companies - EDGE Group’s and ADSB’ naval and commercial vessel expertise, and IAI’s expertise in autonomous systems, robotics, and artificial intelligence - for a joint Made in UAE effort, maximising both companies business opportunities and growth.”

EDGE and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) also announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a maintenance centre for a selection of IAI’s systems in the UAE.

Omar Al Zaabi, Senior Vice President Head of Programme Acquisition at EDGE and Boaz Levy, President and CEO of IAI, signed the agreement during a ceremony at the 2021 Dubai Airshow.

In addition to maintenance, the centre will advance local marketing of these systems. The agreement covers electro-optics advanced systems including IAI’s POP family (Plug-in Optronic Payload) systems, Mini-POP and MOSP (Multi-Sensors Optronic Stabilised Payload) surveillance payloads for land, naval and air applications.

IAI’s POP is a Plug-in Optronic Payload electro-optical sensor system, equipped with a powerful laser designator and eye-safe range finder. The MiniPOP is a dual-axis that includes a continuous zoom colour day camera and a thermal imaging camera, a laser pointer, eye-safe laser rangefinder, and automatic tracker. The MOSP is a highly stabilised long-range reconnaissance and targeting multi-sensor family of payloads for Airborne and maritime applications.

Speaking at the ceremony, Senior Vice President Head of Programme Acquisition at EDGE said, “This agreement with a leading global industry player such as IAI will create many opportunities for the expansion of EO/IR services here in the UAE and further afield. By combining IAI’s expertise in the field and our own experience in providing advanced solutions locally, we can expedite complex maintenance processes for the benefit of our customers, while expanding the scope of collaboration on future opportunities.”

EDGE, Tunisian Air Force sign deal: EDGE Group entity on Thursday announced they have signed a contract with the Tunisian Air Force (TAF) to perform Programmed Depot Maintenance (PDM) and upgrades on a C-130 aircraft.

The aircraft was recently delivered by TAF personnel to AMMROC’s MRO facility in Al Ain, UAE, with work now well underway following aircraft induction.

The announcement was made during the ongoing Dubai Airshow, which runs until 18th November at Dubai World Central. The contract is expected to last six months and will involve a full structural inspection followed by the customer-driven upgrade requirements.

WAM