Tidewise to partner with EMGEPRON for Navy USVs development
Brazilian Ministry of Defence’s Naval Project Management Company (EMGEPRON) signed the terms of the Contract with TideWise, Brazil-based USV devoloper, in a strategic partnership for the construction of naval drones, which are expected to revolutionize the Brazilian’s Defense and Security Industrial Base (ABIMDE – Associação Brasileira das Indústrias de Materiais de Defesa e Segurança, BIDS). The contract will cover the engineering design and construction of autonomous multipurpose vessels. The first USV SUPPRESSOR will be produced in partnership with Tidewise and intended for Brazilian Navy (Marinha do Brasil).The USV will feature 7 meters long hull and be powered by diesel propulsion, associated with a mobile control station in a 20-foot container .
⚙ USV SUPPRESSOR will be equipped with a set of navigation sensors, multibeam sonar and ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle). With an estimated budget of 20 million Brazilian reals, the construction of the first vessel is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. The contract also covers the delivery of an interface protocol for the vessel (Application Programming Interface – API), aiming to meeting the specific demands of its operators, especially with regard to control and security of communications.
The program is the first in the Brazilian market and in Latin America that aims to build autonomous multi-purpose surface vessels in the region, with a focus on the Defense and Security Sector.
The USV SUPPRESSOR will offer capabilities for naval mine hunting, anti-submarine warfare, as well as surveillance in maritime, coastal, river and restricted jurisdictional waters, such as bays and lakes. The vessel will also enable the Brazilian Defense and Security Forces (Forças Armadas Brasileiras) to use it in navigation and maritime traffic security, hydrographic surveys, oceanographic research or combating illicit activities.
The contract will consolidate the materialization of the strategic partnership between EMGEPRON and TideWise, both companies associated with the Rio de Janeiro Naval Technology Cluster (CTN-RJ), representing an important development milestone for BIDS, which presents innovative solutions for the maritime environment and related activities, in addition to providing the national industry in the sector with greater autonomy in sensitive technologies for Brazil.
?? Source: EMGEPRON