Running from a "Robot"

limeydal · 12 August 2006, 05:24

Had a very interesting day to say the least

Was hired to act as a target / aggressor boat for BAE systems "Robotic RIB"
Today was practise day,but Monday we go for real and they mount the gun on the front

The idea is to display for the various armed forces to try to get interest in the project.
The boat is controlled remotely with the "helmsman" being there for safety reasons, as we were within a busy shipping channel.
Was a big change;instead of the Navy Patrol boats driving me away; they were all cruising by to check it out.
So looking forward to Monday!
Now they did say we wern't going to be using live ammo!

cheers Dal

BogMonster · 12 August 2006, 11:37

That must be fun, if a little scary

codprawn · 12 August 2006, 12:39

Nice to see the Yanks using some British stuff then. Having said that I wonder if it's a good idea - how often do computers glitch or crash???

Stuff like this is getting cheaper all the time - you can build the control systems for a cruise missile for less than 10K now!!!

ribit · 12 August 2006, 13:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Stuff like this is getting cheaper all the time - you can build the control systems for a cruise missile for less than 10K now!!!

You seem very knowledgeable Mr Cod is this your next project?

BogMonster · 12 August 2006, 13:46

A Cruise RIB

I think the Al Quaeda types have already beaten you to it, they already have guided boats packed with explosives and driven by an expendable guidance system don't they?

DGR · 13 August 2006, 18:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Nice to see the Yanks using some British stuff then.

Who says any of it is British? Unless you mean Dal, of course......!!!

D...

limeydal · 13 August 2006, 18:20

Hull made in South Africa/electronics & assemled in Israel .
Do you think they will want it back soon, given the problems over there

Now if I just replaced the gun with a camera,it would make a fun photography boat

Just need to come up with $3m
Anyone lend me a few bob??
cheers Dal

bogib · 13 August 2006, 18:28

BAe´s equipment on this rib most likely beeing from their Australian subsidary.

Bogi

DGR · 13 August 2006, 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by bogib

BAe´s equipment on this rib most likely beeing from their Australian subsidary.

Bogi

...or any one of their US subsiduaries... or through LM.........

Andy · 14 August 2006, 00:05

Why would the armed forces use a remote controlled boat when they could use a plane?

codprawn · 14 August 2006, 03:06

So none of BAE's engineers worked on this in the UK then??? British electronics and engineering are used all over the place - the difference is we never shout about it. BAE have also developed a special new Radar system to detect RIBs!!!

limeydal · 14 August 2006, 05:07

while we are on about military ribs then; what the heck is this

My spies told me about it (thanks Stanleys Dad) but couldn't get close enough to get a decent photo.
Twin jetted,with some serious looking hardware topside.
I want to know whats under the "custom" carboard box on top

Then caught a smart looking RIB tied up dockside. Couldnt make out the name though.
cheers Dal

codprawn · 14 August 2006, 13:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by limeydal

while we are on about military ribs then; what the heck is this

My spies told me about it (thanks Stanleys Dad) but couldn't get close enough to get a decent photo.
Twin jetted,with some serious looking hardware topside.
I want to know whats under the "custom" carboard box on top

Then caught a smart looking RIB tied up dockside. Couldnt make out the name though.
cheers Dal

Looks a beast - goodness knows what's under the box - probably something nasty!!!

DGR · 14 August 2006, 16:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

So none of BAE's engineers worked on this in the UK then??? British electronics and engineering are used all over the place - the difference is we never shout about it. BAE have also developed a special new Radar system to detect RIBs!!!

Not trying to start a fight - but I doubt it.

BAES have a big ship and sub capability in the UK - but nothing in the smaller areas - hence their C3/C4I capability is aimed at that end of the spectrum. When BAe dropped the 'British' and became the 'Global' BAE Systems they followed the R&D money and focussed on the USA where Homeland Security was (is still) a licence to print money for R&D...unlike the UK (speak to anyone in Mil R&D, private sector or Qinetiq/DERA etc). Most of BAES's footprint is now in the states - as is most of the R&D.

The RIB detecting radar sounds interesting though!!

D...

codprawn · 14 August 2006, 16:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGR

Not trying to start a fight - but I doubt it.

BAES have a big ship and sub capability in the UK - but nothing in the smaller areas - hence their C3/C4I capability is aimed at that end of the spectrum. When BAe dropped the 'British' and became the 'Global' BAE Systems they followed the R&D money and focussed on the USA where Homeland Security was (is still) a licence to print money for R&D...unlike the UK (speak to anyone in Mil R&D, private sector or Qinetiq/DERA etc). Most of BAES's footprint is now in the states - as is most of the R&D.

The RIB detecting radar sounds interesting though!!

D...

They do still have some capability in other areas - mate of mine is currently working on a "similar project". It is true though that they are focusing on the Yank market. With the current hysteria it is very easy to sell weapons. Even though "hitech" doesn't seem to be very effective against people on horseback in some mountains......

http://www.emrsdtc.com/conferences/2...papers/A06.pdf

http://www.baesystems.com/ocs/shared...lec/detrib.htm

It is ironic that over the horizon used to be a pain during WWII - now they spend a fortune enhancing it!!!

Everyone knows Watson Watt invented the RADAR but how many people know the father or airbourne radar was from Swansea - his team prob made more of a difference to the war effort than anyone else. His name was Taffy Bowen and about the only recognition he had was from Admiral Doenitz who said he was responsible for halting the U boats.

Mention must also go to Randall and Boot who invented the magnetron in Birmingham - where would radar be without it. Of course we promptly GAVE away all this technology to the USA - fair enough as there was a war on but they profitied quite a bit from it later on!!!

It's all in one of the best books I have ever read - Radar Days.

CAH · 15 August 2006, 04:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by limeydal

while we are on about military ribs then; what the heck is this

My spies told me about it (thanks Stanleys Dad) but couldn't get close enough to get a decent photo.
Twin jetted,with some serious looking hardware topside.
I want to know whats under the "custom" carboard box on top

Then caught a smart looking RIB tied up dockside. Couldnt make out the name though.
cheers Dal

The jet drive boat is one of two Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) designed for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW). Most likely the boats incorporate Unmanned Dipping Sonar (UDS), Unmanned Towed Array System (UTAS), or Multi Static Off-Board Source (MS-OBS). This is only one of the many pipe dreams to support the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). The box is just a wooden box with an inflatable mermaid sitting on top of the A-Frame which is currently folded down. Everybody got it, A USV equipped with UDS, UTAS, and MS-OBS to be used with a LCS.

The photo of the RHIB with 2 outboards is a Polaris PRH-1050. This boat is your basic aluminum hull RHIB with twin Yamaha 300’s.

I can’t wait to send Mr. Limeydal on another hunt for RHIB treasures!

limeydal · 15 August 2006, 05:43

you find em';I'll shoot em

cheers dal

fishbait · 16 August 2006, 13:30

now don't go giving them ideas Andy!

;-)