LONDON, 22 March 2006. BAE Systems has launched its autonomous unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), Talisman, at Oceanology International 2006. The Talisman System, developed by BAE Systems in the UK, is a modular multi-role UUV capable of various maritime littoral operations.
Made possible by BAE Systems' private venture funding, the Talisman program was launched in late 2004 as part of the company's strategy to build an integrated approach to unmanned vehicles and autonomous systems.
The program was developed and managed by BAE Systems at its Underwater Systems business in Waterlooville, U.K.
Talisman includes a vehicle and remote-control console. The vehicle is based on a carbon fiber composite hull, equipped with internal carbon fiber composite pressure vessels containing the electronics systems and payload.
The hull is fitted with commercial-off-the-shelf vectorable thruster pods, which allow it to maneuver accurately, hover, and turn 360 degrees within its own length. The hull has been designed and manufactured by experts at the BAE Systems military aircraft sites at Warton and Samlesbury, U.K.
Talisman features an open architecture system, allowing for easy and rapid re-configuration of the mission system software. Mission parameters are pre-settable before launch, for full autonomous operation, with the possibility of operator intervention throughout the mission. Communications to and from the vehicle are via RF or Iridium SatCom (while the vehicle is surfaced) and via acoustic communications systems (when vehicle is underwater).
