Autonomous Ribs

[HughN]

The US Navy are trying out autonomous 'swarming' Ribs. Video here

The usual massively-expensive and over-complex solution...

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by HughN

The US Navy are trying out autonomous 'swarming' Ribs. Video here

The usual massively-expensive and over-complex solution...

I'm sure I saw a BAE RIB drone somewhere on't web not long ago

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

'RIB drone'

Is that not the sound that a group of RC owners make?

[kerny]

The young sailor sounds a bit of a mincer not your usual Navy Seal type

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Is that not the sound that a group of RC owners make?

Aye! it's to drown out the silence of the Osprey lot

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Aye! it's to drown out the silence of the Osprey lot

You're hanging out with the wrong Osprey lot. ;-)

[Alan Priddy]

I am pretty sure that one of the "Older" members of Ribnet had a lot to do with the design and concept of these. Alan P

[Maximus]

I saw a picture of one BEA made for the I.D.F as I recall...
Alloy 7.8 Ribcraft Hull and Tubes with a .40 cal Chain Gun!!... good for nearly 60knts!...full remote control,with high resolution 360 TV cams...just the look of the thing would do it for me!

[limeydal]

Not exactly a RIB, but I was the "test target" for the BAE trials here in San Diego.
The protector trials were in San Diego bay and had my RIB running from it over 4 days. (Once in the middle of the night !)
Fun stuff, but I think the Navy is looking for a cheaper solution with it's "Swarming concept"

cheers Dal

[limeydal]

Oh and here's my XS rib being targeted by FLIR sight by the engaging "Protector" USV
cheers Dal

[limeydal]

Clip of the TV show "Future Weapons" showing the testing of the Protector in San Diego.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZiBvG2z2d8

[limeydal]

Oh and fame at last ! ( 1 second of it )
I appear in my xsrib at 23 seconds into the 2nd part of this episode.

I was due to do the "spy segment,taking photo's" and getting chased down.
But got bad ear infection when shooting was due and they brought in alternate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAyDhOJj5dA

[sorabain]

I can't help wondering if they have good checks on whether the loudhailer is working on that "guard boat". Would be a terrible shame if the guy back at base is busy doling out the "third and final warning" but noone can tell that they're not being remotely announced at all and the "target" is completely oblivious right until he starts being shot at.

[HughN]

I'm pretty sure that the GPS antenna, VHF antenna and light can each be had on eBay for under £30!



Looks a lot of fun.

[jyasaki]

Hugh;

I used to work for a military subcontractor. The price differential for military hardware is not so much the item itself (many of the components we used were available off-the-shelf), but rather the generation of specifications, criteria, descriptions, and certifications of compliance that an item must have to be accepted by the military.

The example I always use was a 3-to-2 electrical ground isolation plug, available at every hardware store for (at the time) about 99 cents.
http://www.amazon.com/CablesOnline-3...lug+electrical

The Israeli military wanted everything we used to build our systems, so the required paperwork was generated (Commercial Item Specifications, drawings, certificate of conformance, all kinds of crap.) When all was said and done, the plug shipped with about 30 pounds of paperwork, and cost the Israeli's somewhere in the neighborhood of $75US.

jky

[matt h]

Originally Posted by limeydal

Not exactly a RIB, but I was the "test target" for the BAE trials here in San Diego.
The protector trials were in San Diego bay and had my RIB running from it over 4 days. (Once in the middle of the night !)
Fun stuff, but I think the Navy is looking for a cheaper solution with it's "Swarming concept"

cheers Dal

Henshaws tubes!!

[Maximus]

Nice pics
Cheaper...isn't something that usually bothers The Defence industry...either side of the Pond it seems to me...although when all the R&D and money spent/jobs created and enabled/ technology and economy boosted are taken into account,you may see why.....certainly doesn't seem to have done the U.S of A too much harm!
Compared to thier Nuclear Aircraft Carrier fleets along with thier Battle support groups ect!ect!...just a drop in the Ocean!

[HughN]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

Hugh;

I used to work for a military subcontractor. The price differential for military hardware is not so much the item itself (many of the components we used were available off-the-shelf), but rather the generation of specifications, criteria, descriptions, and certifications of compliance that an item must have to be accepted by the military.

The example I always use was a 3-to-2 electrical ground isolation plug, available at every hardware store for (at the time) about 99 cents.
http://www.amazon.com/CablesOnline-3...lug+electrical

The Israeli military wanted everything we used to build our systems, so the required paperwork was generated (Commercial Item Specifications, drawings, certificate of conformance, all kinds of crap.) When all was said and done, the plug shipped with about 30 pounds of paperwork, and cost the Israeli's somewhere in the neighborhood of $75US.

jky

I've spent my career in commercial aerospace and defence. Large numbers don't even catch my attention any more. £950 for an ABS drill case I could buy for £3.99 cured me of that! Bunging £6k on my Amex to charter an aircraft to collect a spare part didn't even an eyebrow with the accountants.

The costs are high because Engineers are so well paid - I wish...

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by HughN

I've spent my career in commercial aerospace and defence. Large numbers don't even catch my attention any more. £950 for an ABS drill case I could buy for £3.99 cured me of that! Bunging £6k on my Amex to charter an aircraft to collect a spare part didn't even an eyebrow with the accountants.

The costs are high because Engineers are so well paid - I wish...

Always the same when people aren't spending thier own Money!...NHS isn't far behind!
A Dr friend of mine told me in or local Hospital they have a dozen or more "Heavy Duty" Hydraulic Beds for patients 20 stones+...EACH ONE, is ONLY available from the Company that manufacture them Hire/Rental with a MONTHLY CHARGE of nearly 2k each!!...pluss service,and maintenance charges!
Roll that across the Whole NHS!..No wonder we're in the Sh**te!

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Maximus

Always the same when people aren't spending thier own Money!...NHS isn't far behind!
A Dr friend of mine told me in or local Hospital they have a dozen or more "Heavy Duty" Hydraulic Beds for patients 20 stones+...EACH ONE, is ONLY available from the Company that manufacture them Hire/Rental with a MONTHLY CHARGE of nearly 2k each!!...pluss service,and maintenance charges!
Roll that across the Whole NHS!..No wonder we're in the Sh**te!

The problem you have are "purchasers" usually office types who don't actually have a clue what stuff costs neither do they care. They will get 3 prices from different suppliers & go with the cheapest, regardless of the end cost. The next problem is the "approved supplier list" or "frame work supplier" the Purchasers aren't free to go to the open market, they have to go to one of the approved or framework suppliers, who basically have the job stitched up between them, it's a money go round & stinks. Break into the Approved suppliers list & it's a licence to print money. I've lost jobs because I wasn't charging enough, go figure