Filipino engineers unveil new kamikaze USV
A team of engineers from Mindanao State University (MSU) in the southern Philippines has commenced development of an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) intended for one-way attack or "kamikaze" missions.
Designated as the "Philippine autonomous littoral interdiction drone" (PALID), the 650kg USV is designed with a small profile nearly similar to that of a traditional "banca" civilian outrigger boat, according to Rembrandt Cajocon, one of the MSU engineers participating in the project.
Speaking to local media on Wednesday, July 30, Cajocon said PALID may be armed with an "unguided bomb" that can be used to target a hostile vessel's critical systems such as its propulsion systems and sensors.
The USV may also undertake surveillance missions. An endurance of 48 hours will be possible with the aid of onboard batteries, though the propulsion will primarily run on petrol fed from a 120-litre tank.
Cajocon expects development of the prototype USV to be completed within two years.