Indian Navy Joins BEL To Develop Autonomous Ship Operations Software
The Indian Navy takes a major step towards unmanned warfare as it partners with BEL to operationalise autonomous ship software for future maritime missions. Image courtesy: X.com/@BEL_CorpCom
In a breakthrough in a joint development effort, the Indian Navy and state-run Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) were successful in creating software for the autonomous operations of warships without crew members, enabling unmanned warfare.
In a post on the microblogging platform X, BEL said it joined hands with the Navy’s Weapons and Electrical Engineering Systems Establishment to develop the indigenous software Advanced Autonomous Navigation & Control Software (A2NCS) that allows the Navy to conduct autonomous operations at sea using Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs).
What is the A2NCS software?
The software, BEL said, was integrated into a Fast Interceptor Boat of the Indian Navy and deployed to carry out mine countermeasure missions and combat exercises already.
A2NCS enables fully autonomous, unmanned operations of the Navy’s Fast Interceptor Boat and supports three distinct modes of operation, it said.
What are the software’s features?
The features of the software included a remote-controlled mode, under which an operator located away from the vessel can take control to execute complex manoeuvres.
It also included an autonomous waypoint navigation mode, by which the vessel operates within a designated area while autonomously navigating maritime traffic and adapting to changing sea conditions.
In the fully autonomous mode, on the other hand, the software takes complete control of vessel operations, navigating traffic, and executing assigned missions, according to BEL.
How does A2NCS work?
The A2NCS applies a network of sensors, such as radars, an advanced identification system, a global positioning system, along with electronic navigation charts, to acquire situational awareness during the vessel’s unmanned missions in a dense maritime traffic environment.
The software enables the vessel to avoid obstacles, gain situational awareness using Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, resiliency, and fail-safe operational capabilities.
Has the software been certified for deployment?
The BEL-Navy software was given an IRClass Certification from the Indian Registrar of Shipping, making it the first indigenous USV software to be thus certified for both quality and reliability, it said.
The certification followed extensive sea trials of the autonomous Fast Interceptor Boat, with compliance with international collision regulations forming a key requirement, it added
The A2NCS strengthens indigenous defence capabilities and supports the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) initiative of Bharat Electronics and the Indian Navy.
