New Israeli unmanned “Wonder Boat” deployed in Persian Gulf

The first unmanned stealth craft on the seas, designated Protector SV or Death Shark, recently deployed in the Persian Gulf, is in high demand after its successful performance with the Singapore Navy. DEBKAfile’s military sources report that India and South Korea asked Israel’s Rafael to build craft to their specifications when chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Gaby Ashkenazi visited their capitals earlier this month.

Western military naval experts rate the Protector as one of the most effective military and intelligence craft afloat today, whose features can take over many of the capabilities of big high-cost warships with large crews.

They say the wonder boat can easily cruise off the shores of Lebanon, Syria and Iran undetected for long periods due to its tested stealth design.

Operated by remote control from a shore base, the crewless turbo diesel water-jet powered nine-meter (30 foot) long speedboat is armed with a Close-in Weapon System (CIWS) for detecting and destroying incoming anti-ship missiles and enemy aircraft at short range. This system is a Typhoon-type heavy MK-49 Mod 0 gyro stabilized 25 MM “machine gun” capable of laser accuracy up to a range of 50 kilometers (30 miles), which sticks to its target, whether on land, air or sea, even as the rigid-hull inflatable bounces on the waves at 40 knots (46 miles per hour)..

The Death Shark’s four cameras, functioning at the same distance and high definition as satellite cameras, can capture a license plate number from a distance of 26 kilometers (16 miles). The stealth craft is also equipped with a sonar and/or radar system and electro-optics which transmit a three-dimensional image to its shore base, instruments for jamming enemy electronics and weapons for taking on large warships, such as torpedoes, milliles and explosive charges.

India and South Korea are attracted by these unique features which make the Protector ideal for deployment on oceans, narrow waterways, rivers and ports. Among its other features, the craft is equipped for active interception of terrorist incursions by sea, like the one that held Mumbai to siege in Nov. 2008.