Archive for July, 2008
 
The Protector USV (unmanned surface vehicle) was developed by the Rafeal. Rafael is a former sub-division of the Israeli Defence ministry and is considered a governmental firm.
It is a response to emerging terrorist threats against maritime assets such as the USS Cole bombing, and it is the only operational combat USV that exists today, well as far as we civilians know!
In essence it is an extremely advanced remote controlled boat, but unlike a rich mans toy it has a gun. If you are interested in a bit of weapons shopping then Rafeal even has a handy PDF that you can print and show your friends at the dinner table.
The Protector offers enhanced surveillance, identification and interception capabilities. It is equipped with a Mini-Typhoon stabilized weapon system, a TOPLITE electro-optic surveillance and targeting system with day and night targeting capabilities through the use of forward looking infrared, charge-coupled devices and laser rangefinders, as well as a public address system.
The Protector is remotely controlled and can operated with general guidance from a commander and operator located ashore or from a manned vessel. This allows it to provide the first line of defense, checking out vessels of interest at arm’s length while personnel and capital assets are held at a safe distance.
The Protector was deployed by the Republic of Singapore Navy together with its Endurance class landing platform dock ships to the North Persian Gulf for peacekeeping operations in 2005, where it performed surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as force protection duties for a shift in excess of eight hours.
General specifications
- Length: 9 m (30 ft)
- Engine: Diesel
- Propulsion: Water jet
- Speed: 40 knots (74 km/h)
- Navigation: Radar, GPS and INS
- Sensors: TOPLITE electro-optic surveillance and targeting system (incorporating FLIR, Digital CCD surveillance camera and laser rangefinders)
Armament: Mini-Typhoon stabilized weapon system
Montserrat
Published July 14th, 2008 in british empire, montserrat, British Overseas Territory, ambrand and commonwealth. 0 CommentsSome day, when I have the money I hope to visit the Island Paradise of Montserrat. I’s nice flag speaks for itself…
… whats that? you’re lost?. Well let me be your John Locke and interpret what the island has to say.
Montserrat is often referred to as the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean, due both to its resemblance to coastal Ireland and to the Irish descent of most of its early European settlers. It is a British overseas territory.
Montserrat is located in the Leeward Islands, part of the chain of islands called the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. It measures approximately 16 km long and 11 km wide, giving 40 kilometres of coastline. Montserrat was given its name by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the New World in 1493, after its namesake located in Catalonia.
Its Georgian era capital city of Plymouth was destroyed and two-thirds of the island’s population forced to flee abroad by an eruption of the previously dormant Soufriere Hills volcano that began on 18th July 1995. The eruption continues today, but on a much reduced scale with the damage being confined to the areas around Plymouth including its docking facilities and the former W.H. Bramble Airport. The subsequent exclusion zone extends from the south coast of the island north to parts of the Belham Valley has been closed because of an increase in the size of the existing volcanic dome. This zone includes St. George’s Hill which provided visitors with a spectacular view of the volcano and the destruction it has wrought upon the capital. A new airport at Gerald’s in the northern part of the island opened in 2005. Appropriately we understand it was constructed by a Northern Irish company.
The village of Brades currently serves as the de facto centre of government.
Calvin Harris is still active, and we are pleased
Published July 14th, 2008 in album, charts, fly eyes, disco, audio, calvin harris and music. 0 CommentsIt will be recalled (well, ok it will not be recalled, I had to use the “search” button to find out that) over one year ago we wrote about Calvin Harris. We are pleased to hear (literally) that he is still active.
Mitchell Brothers feat. Calvin Harris - Michael Jackson
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