The Quadski is an amphibious vehicle that is equally agile on land and water. In a simple touch of a switch retracts the wheels after entering water and deploys when approaching land. The vehicle is capable of reaching speeds of 45 mph on both land and water. Quadski uses a BMW Motorroad K1300 engine coupled to revolutionary retractable suspensions and patented water jet drive that allows seamless transition from land to water. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update
While the Singapore Airshow is primarily an aerospace event, amphibious capabilities are receiving high attention here, addressing growing interest in Singapore and other nations in the region to enabling their military and first responders to go anywhere, moving in water, through channels, swamps, or mud.
Singapore plans to replace most of the current utility platforms armored carriers in service today with amphibious capable platforms. ST Kinetics’ Bronco New Gen (NG) is one of the strong candidates for this program. With a lower curb weight than the WARTHOG, the BRONCO NG can take on higher add-on protection and payloads. Its V-shaped hull effectively deflects under belly blasts while contributing to a stiffer chassis for better all-round protection. Being lighter, it is capable of swimming and traversing water obstacles at higher STANAG level protection. The chassis has the largest capacity in the BRONCO family, Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-UpdateA proof of concept of an Unmanned Hybrid Vehicle (UHV) undergoing at Singapore technologies Aerospace will provide users the capability to deploy rapidly to sea areas by flyin to the site. Upon landing on the surface the UHV submerges and begins the extended underwater mission phase. The Unmanned hybrid Vehicle (UHV) drone can carry sonars for underwater surveillance missions. Upon mission completion the UHV surface and await pickup. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-UpdateBullray amphibious UAV from Rapid Composites is a waterproof UAV designed to take off and land on water. The 15kg tri-rotor drone does not require assembly, it is carried with rotor arms folded, and, when extracted, in less than 15 seconds, the Bullray is ready to fly. The drone has a waterproof fuselage designed for all weather operation. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-UpdateST Kinetics’ TERREX Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) is equipped to move in water, the new ‘Track Over Wheel’ concept uses a rubber track that wraps over the frontal two wheels of the 8×8 vehicle, to give better traction and lower ground pressure mobility over soft and difficult terrain. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-UpdateThe Jaeger UGV – based on the Israeli amphibious Amstaf will be configured as a base platform fitted with mission specific modules. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace teams with German partners Diehl Defence and MBDA Deutschland to develop the Tyrfing, an advanced Super-Sonic Strike Missile (3SM). The new missile is expected to replace the Naval Strike Missile...
IAI is introducing the modular All Capabilities Defense Container (ACDC) concept at DSEI 2023, packing a system of systems of defensive and attack systems utilizing an ISO container system, enabling any vessel carry equipped to carry commercial shipping containers to operate the employ advanced capabilities for self protection.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has unveiled a large autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) called BLUE WHALE designed for covert intelligence gathering in the sea and coastal waters. The AUV can perform a significant portion of the operations of a manned submarine for several weeks without the need for operators on board. It is equipped with two types of sonars, a radar, EO sensors, and a satellite communications terminal mounted on a telescopic mast.
Israel's defense company Rafael has recently introduced two new naval air defense systems at IMDEX ASIA 2023 - the NAVAL IRON BEAM, and the C-DOME Mission Module, to augment the defense capabilities of naval forces against evolving threats, including ballistic missiles, guided and unguided rockets, loitering weapons, and drones. These defense systems are cost-effective, complementary, and designed to be integrated into existing air defense systems, expanding air defense coverage.
IMDEX ASIA 2023 provides an invaluable platform for showcasing the latest advancements in maritime defense technologies crucial for ensuring the safety and security of naval forces in an increasingly complex surface and underwater environment. This review highlights some of the ongoing innovations in the naval sector, from AI applications improving ship safety to underwater inspection solutions.