IndoDefence 2018: TNI AL First Customer of ECA Group's STERNA System.

At IndoDefence 2018, the tri service defense exposition currently held in Jakarta, Indonesia, ECA Group confirmed that the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) recently became the launch customer for STERNA.

STERNA. ECA Group picture.

STERNA is the first UAV based portable aerial magnetic range used by a navy in operational conditions. The UAV based solution STERNA, has been deployed by the Indonesian Navy in July 2018. STERNA is based on ECA Group’s airborne drone IT180, a compact, high-performance mini-UAV VTOL (complementary to the VTOL UAVs of the higher categories) embedding a magnetometer and its digitizer. This system is a part of set-up degaussing systems in compliance with NATO standards.

Navy Recognition learned at IndoDefence 2018 that the four STERNA of the Indonesian Navy will mostly be used its SIGMA class corvettes.

ECA Group stand at IndoDefence 2018

According to ECA Group, STERNA is the best combination of an IT180 UAV and an embedded magnetometer and its digitizer. To perform the mapping in a horizontal plane of the vessel, STERNA overflies the vessel. Data are analyzed and degaussing parameters are computed.

This ECA Group innovation was awarded by the Innovation Trophy during Euronaval tradeshow for their patent named STERNA. This patent combines the use of an UAV (for example, the UAV IT180) and a magnetic sensor carried by the drone to measure the ship’s magnetic field.

Integrating a robust industrial design and functionalities, this innovative and cost-effective solution is adapted for Navies seeking for reliable, modular and fast-deployable operational tools in order to secure the vessel and the crew.

ECA Group estimates the market for this new technological solution up to 30 M€ for the next 5 years.