[This is a great piece of technology. We are moving into the age of fighting robotic weapons. The current wars may yet lead to a whole new age of battle technology – Intelligent Weapons. Jan]

Jerusalem October 20… Israel has been well known in leading the global defense industry out of its very survival since 1948. And in doing so has developed several “James Bond” futuristic, lethal weapons over the years. In the most recent unveiling the Israel Navy has now deployed a speedboat drone capable of reaching enemy targets hundreds of miles from Israel shores.

The unmanned speedboat is equipped with a remote-controlled machine gun capable of being operated with laser accuracy up to a range of 50 kilometers, reportedly the first of its kind in the world.

Private defense analysts who have studied photos of the “Death Shark” or what the IDF brands as the “Protector” state that the Rafael Industries weapon is equipped with at least four cameras, as well as a sonar or radar system and electro-optics capable of providing a three-dimensional image. The cameras are said to operate with the same distance and high definition as satellite cameras, being able to capture a licence plate number and the barrel of gun from a distance of 10 miles.

Israel has long and respected record of targeting terrorists with pilotless planes so having a drone out in sea was a natural progression.

The nine-meter-long, rigid hull, inflatable vessel has been undergoing sea trials for a number of months. Israel Navy officials said it has “already drawn blood” but declined to elaborate. They stressed that the unmanned boat was an “all-Israel” assembly.

The boat can easily travel off the shores of Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Iran undetected by it’s fully tested stealth design. But the true mission of the “death shark” is to defend Israel waters, her civilian coastline and her allies from a terrorist attack.

The IDF said that it plans to deploy it for dangerous tasks, such as monitoring the coast for suspected infiltrators. Palestinian terrorists have detonated themselves a number of times next to Navy patrol boats, and the Navy has long sought a safer way to approach suspicious sea craft at sea.

Developers also said the “Death Shark” could be used to ferry Israel and allied commandos, as well as contribute to anti-terrorist protection. Analysts say it could be used as the ultimate “suicide bomber” being able to carry a payload of undefined weapons against a ship, submarine or an enemy coastal military installation. The analysts suspect that the “Death Shark” has been around for at least a year, with hundreds deployed throughout the waters of the Middle East and Mediterranean.

The “Death Shark” will most definitely be used to protect and escort Israel’s merchant marine fleet and civilian vessels in both the Middle East and throughout the world, say analysts. It was most probably used during Israel disengagement from Gaza, where it quietly neutralized terrorists both on land and in the water attempting to disrupt Israel’s unilateral peace move.

The machine gun is a mini-Typhoon type, also developed by Rafael. The Typhoon system allows the gun to stay on target as the unmanned surface vehicle (USV) bounces across the waves. Developers said the pilot of the vessel would be an Israel Defense Forces officer. This officer would most likely be a trained field intelligence professional cooperating with Israel military, Shabak (domestic security) and the Mossad.

The officer who would command this drone from either a few miles or thousands would go through a one-week training course. A second “mission module operator” would be responsible for its mission – be it surveillance or offensive.

At a recent demonstration in Israel , the sleek, stealthy boat was able to quickly maneuver around the harbor of a navy base while controlled by a civilian operator inside a control room. The vessel had a maximum speed of 50 knots. Rafael can also equip the USV with search lights and a public address system. Israel has long been a world leader in unmanned aerial vehicles. Some, according to foreign reports, are equipped with offensive weapons used to target Palestinian terrorists. It also has begun deploying remote-controlled vehicles along the security fence in the West Bank.

In January 2002, the Israel Navy announced plans to acquired eight new Fast Patrol Boats (FPB) including six Super Dvora Mk III and two Shaldag II FPBs. The navy has options to order two more Shaldag ships. This order is a part of a US$40 million fleet modernization program that comprised of replacements of old Dvora class FPBs with new Israel Shipyards Shaldag II and IAI/Ramta Super Dvora Mk III types which are an improved versions of the Dvora class currently in service. Both vessels are faster than existing FPBs in Israel Navy service, and capable of operations at extended ranges of up to 700 nautical miles. Israel Shipyards has also modified its standard design to be compatible with many components and systems of the Super Dvora, to simplify the Navy logistics support. The new FPBs will be equipped with Elbit/El-Op MSIS and COMPASS EO systems and RAFAEL Typhoon stabilized gun mounts.

The Israel Navy is also putting together a request to purchase two additional Dolphin-model submarines from Germany. In light of the high cost of the deal which will cost $850 million, Israel is looking for outside funding for the project. In 1999-2000, Germany supplied the Israel Navy with three Dolphin submarines to replace its outdated Gal models. The new submarines were constructed over a number of years at shipyards in Germany, in accordance with specific plans formulated in conjunction with the Israel Navy. In the wake of the 1991 Gulf War, Germany agreed to fund most of the project and the submarines were, in practice, supplied to Israel as a gift from Germany. The Israel Defense Forces now believes the three submarines aren’t enough. To maintain an effective submarine force (under the assumption that the vessels require relatively frequent maintenance and servicing), the Israel Navy needs at least five submarines, IDF sources say. Finding a budget for the project would presumably entail a special aid request – either from the United States or from Germany.

In recent years, the commander-in-chief of the Israel Navy, Major General Yedidia Ya’ari, has been promoting the idea of turning the corps into one of the IDF’s strategic arms, with the ability to carry out essential tasks in the face of threats to Israel from afar. Such a move would require significant budget increases. Ya’ari’s efforts have the support in principle of Chief of Staff Moshe Ya’alon and other senior members of the General Staff. If the acquisition of the additional submarines is approved, it will be a significant step in the direction sought by the navy’s commander-in-chief.

Analysts say that the Israel’s “Death Shark” is an intelligence organization’s dream machine and the worst nightmare for an Islamic terrorist especially when weather conditions “soften” satellite surveillance.

Sharks smell blood, the “Death Shark” can smell, hear and see an Islamic terrorist arming himself from miles away. When it bites, it digests the food for those to analyze miles away and is immediately ready for it’s next mission against terrorism. Some analysts believe that the drone is capable of turning itself into a mini submarine.

“The Death Shark IDF Navy drone can do everything and more without harming an Israel crew. The only thing that it does not do is fly, but I am sure that is being worked on,” said an analyst.

By Joel Leyden
Source: Israel News Agency