An Unmanned Pathfinder for the Royal Navy Flagship

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The Israeli Seagull mine countermeasures USV participated in a recent exercise with HMS Ocean, the Royal Navy flagship. The Seagull provided a pathfinder for the British ship, alerting the helicopter carrier of suspected mines along its path. The USV also performed tactical maneuvering with the British ship, sailing in formation with the Israeli Navy vessels and the British helicopter carrier.

On the recent visit of HMS Ocean at the port of Haifa, the flagship of the Royal Navy participated in a mine warfare exercise at the Haifa Bay, where Israeli Seagull Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV) acted as pathfinders for the British amphibious support helicopter carrier, sailing in simulated mine-infested waters. The mission was part of a joint exercise between the Israeli Navy and the British Royal Navy in the Haifa Bay. HMS OCEAN has returned to her base-port in HMNB Devonport after completing her final deployment prior to decommissioning in 2018.

During the exercise, the Seagull performed a Mine Counter Measure (MCM) mission, scanning and charting a secure path for HMS Ocean. Once encountering mine-like-objects, the Seagull alerted HMS Ocean to avoid them, thus securing its safe route. The Seagull performed the mission while being remotely operated from a Mission Control Station onshore. Developed by Elbit Systems, the Seagull is a modular USV that can be configured for a variety of naval missions, including mine countermeasures and anti-submarine warfare. In addition to the Israel Navy, Seagull is undergoing evaluations by a number of foreign navies.