The Sea Serpent unmanned surface vessel (USV), the first to be designed and built in South Africa, has completed comprehensive sea trials and has been successfully delivered to a Saudi Arabian client.
The proof-of-concept vessel – originally called the Prowler – was designed and manufactured by Icarus Marine, Legacy Marine, and Noble Concentric Solutions for a research company that evaluates technology on behalf of the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces
Eddie Noble, Owner/Managing Director of Noble Concentric Solutions, told DefenceWeb that the Sea Serpent, as a demonstrator, can do just about anything or be fitted with anything. At present it has an electro-optic system (cooled medium wave infrared camera) and Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) fitted. Dynateq International will fit a 12.7 mm remotely controlled weapon station to the vessel in Saudi Arabia under a separate contract.
Noble said the design and manufacture of South Africa’s first locally built USV is proof that South African engineering, industry, and innovation can compete on a global stage when given the mandate and the opportunity.
He notes USVs can act as force multipliers across multiple sectors, and for the military can provide persistent surveillance, harbour protection, anti‑piracy operations, and rapid response without risking human lives. Other military applications include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR); mine countermeasures; hydrographic survey; electronic warfare and communications relay; escort and perimeter security; and training support and target simulation.
Non-military missions could include environmental and ocean science (long‑endurance data collection, climate monitoring, pollution tracking, etc.); ports and logistics (autonomous inspections, bathymetric surveys, situational awareness); energy and offshore infrastructure (pipeline and cable inspections, offshore asset monitoring and rapid deployment for emergency assessments); and fisheries and marine resource management (compliance monitoring, and blue economy protection).
As the Sea Serpent is unmanned, it is well suited to performing dull, dirty and dangerous tasks, and carrying out much longer endurance missions than manned vessels could. It is also cheaper to operate as fuel and manpower expenses are reduced.
The aluminium hull vessel is 9.2 metres long, weights 3.5 tonnes empty, and 5.1 tonnes at full load displacement. A Volvo Penta D6-400 engine delivering 400 hp gives an economical cruising speed of 25 knots, and maximum speed of nearly 38 knots. Range at economical cruising speed is 420 nautical miles, and 360 nautical miles at maximum speed.
Autonomous control is provided by the Voyager AI system. The Voyager AI autonomy solution is supported by artificial intelligence combined with innovative decision-aid algorithms enabling fully autonomous operation. It features advanced collision avoidance including COLREGS (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea) Compliance.
Autonomous navigation is enabled through the fusion of radar, AIS, perception systems, echo sounder and wider sensor integration for autonomous collision avoidance, obstacle avoidance and anti-grounding. With the autonomous control system, routes can be planned and executed, and geo-fencing (no-go areas), home point, and anchor point can be set up. In the event of a loss of communications between the USV and the ground control station (GCS), the USV will either loiter for a period of time waiting for reconnection of communications, continue its mission as originally planned, or return to home base.
Line of sight communication is provided by a COFDM mesh radio, while beyond line-of-sight communication is via Starlink or equivalent. Other navigation systems include Furuno doppler radar, Icom AIS transponder, Airmar SS60 echo sounder, and HIKVision cameras.
Although it is an unmanned vessel, the Sea Serpent features a Helmsman Bay containing all manual vessel controls so the vessel can be operated manually when needed, such as during test and evaluation.
Enabling multi-mission capabilities is a Mission Bay that can take a wide variety of installable or temporary mission equipment, such as a remotely controlled weapon station, water cannon, drones, crane for launching and recovering submersibles, missile launchers, or countermeasures (flares, smoke canisters etc.).
“The Mission Bay adds plenty or versatility to the Sea Serpent, making it a truly adaptable, powerful and potent means of patrolling, protecting and defending national waters and key infrastructure and facilities,” Nobe Concentric Solutions said.
The USV can be launched from ashore or from floating platforms such as logistic support ships, frigates and other mothercraft. It has been designed for high speeds and superior seakeeping in rough conditions.
Noble Concentric Solutions was established in 2005 with a focus on business management and engineering in the naval and high-tech defence sectors. Legacy Marine has built over 1 000 boats since its inception and exports its vessels globally.
“Noble Concentric Solutions is ready to lead the charge, building technology that is designed, engineered, and manufactured on South African soil,” Noble said. “The opportunities are enormous, but only if we act with intent. South Africa has the talent. We have the coastline. We have the strategic need. What we require now is a unified commitment to scaling local capability, empowering industry, and ensuring that unmanned systems become a pillar of our maritime future.”
“The world is moving. Our oceans are changing. It’s time for South Africa to take its place at the helm of unmanned maritime innovation,” Noble concluded.
