SAAB unveiled new “Bonefish” USV

Saab and PT Lundin have revealed their Bonefish unmanned surface vessel (USV) technology demonstrator at Indo Defence 2014.

Formally unveiled by Indonesia’s defence minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Marsetio in a joint ribbon-cutting ceremony on the first day of the show, the 12m carbon-fibre composite trimaran prototype is set to begin sea trials next month.

Joint development of the Bonefish demonstrator, which can be seen on PT Lundin’s stand (Hall D, 025) began at the start of this year, the concept marrying Saab’s mission systems integration expertise with PT Lundin’s advanced wave-piercing trimaran hullform.

The prototype was built in approximately six months at PT Lundin’s composite boat production facility in Banyuwangi, East Java.

Capable of speeds of up to 40kts, Bonefish is designed to incorporate a wide range of sensors, satellite-based control and a modular payload bay to enable role flexibility.

Potential missions could include anti-piracy, maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, mine countermeasures, search and rescue, and hydrography.

Peter Carlqvist, head of Saab Indonesia (Hall D, Stand 052), said the collaboration between Saab and PT Lundin represented an exciting opportunity for the two companies.

“Saab has identified the need for a USV that is modular and adaptable according to the mission,” he told the Show Daily. “The wave-piercing trimaran platform developed by PT Lundin is unique with regard to its ability to sustain high speed in high sea states. That is very important for a craft that is going to be out at sea for extended periods by itself.”

Dan Enstedt, president and CEO of Saab Asia-Pacific, added: “We are extremely proud and happy that we were able to unveil this demonstrator at Indo Defence and show a tangible example of co-operation between Saab of Sweden and Indonesian industry.”

Tests and trials of the prototype are expected to run through 2015.