DCNS has just successfully tested, in the Toulon harbor, a real-time
demonstrator for an asymmetric response to terrorist and piracy attacks.
This DCNS system is the fruit of several years of research and development
and integrates cutting-edge technologies: ultra-high-definition and
high-sensitivity video, augmented reality, powerful algorithms for the
detection of threatening behavior… The goal is to accelerate decision
taking and prevent collateral damage in close-quarter defense situations.
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On 10
December 2014, the DCNS teams experimented with the demonstrator of
a new maritime anti-terrorism and anti-piracy combat system. The French
Navy provided both technical and operational support for this full-scale
test during which maritime terrorist or piracy attacks were simulated.
The DCNS combat system allowed the rapid deployment of an effective
defense in littoral waters, where most anti-piracy missions take place.
Comprising a network of ultra-high-definition, 360-degree cameras, the
tool developed by DCNS ensures surveillance over a distance of several
kilometers around the vessel. Information acquired by the cameras is
superimposed on top of augmented reality images to facilitate the analysis
of the different moving objects in proximity (pleasure boats, fishermen…
or pirates). In the event of suspicious movements, an operator can use
a very powerful zoom lens to confirm whether or not the threat is real.
A response can then be implemented, ranging from simply issuing a sound
or light warning signal to a warning shot or final protective fire.
Thanks to a camera mounted on the weapon, the vessel Commander can,
in this case, first check that there is no risk of collateral damage.
A 360-degree, real-time visualization of the situation is permanently
displayed on a screen on the vessel’s bridge, visible to the vessel
Commander and all close-quarter defense operators. Each person is thus
able to share the same information at the same time, in a collaborative
approach, that can also be found on the bridge of the DCNS concept ship
presented by the Group at the Euronaval 2014 trade-fair. Compatible
with a large number of ships, this system can operate autonomously or
can be integrated within a Combat Management System (CMS) to benefit
from other information provided by the vessel’s other sensors,
in particular those on airborne drones.
The development of this demonstrator represents the fruit of several
years of research at DCNS. To build this system, DCNS has teamed up
with innovative SMEs with complementary expertise. With this additional
capacity, DCNS provides Navies with a concrete response to the increasing
risk of terrorist attacks (suicide boats, ambushes…) or piracy.
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