U.S. taps Saab for remotely operated vehicle to counter maritime IEDs

PARIS, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- An underwater vehicle for use in helping counter improvised explosive devices in U.S. domestic waters is being developed by Saab.

The contract from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for the Water Borne Improvised Explosive Device Remotely Operated Vehicle was announced on Wednesday at the Eoronaval 2014 exhibition in France.

The ROV, which will be used by the department's Underwater Hazardous Device Team, will be able to manipulate and defeat IEDs, as well as limpet mines, around ship hulls and jettyies while maintaining its station despite the water's current.

"This is a perfect example of how Saab combines military and commercial technology already in place within Saab to develop new products," said Agneta Kammeby, head of Saab's Underwater Systems business unit. "We hope to follow the huge strides that have been made on land in the area of Remote IED disposal over the past 10 years and to address the problem of underwater security.

"This is a significant challenge, but de-risking the maritime IED threat is an essential task."