Teledyne e2v's SafeStop harnesses our expertise in radio frequency (RF)
directed energy to enable law enforcement to stop vehicles in their
tracks. Now, Teledyne e2v's new marinised system is bringing this
state-of-the-art technology to the seas.
A long-standing leader in radio frequency (RF) innovation, Teledyne e2v is
committed to finding ways to apply this knowledge across multiple
industries. Now it is applying RF power to transforming and improving
maritime law enforcement.
Teledyne e2v's SafeStop is the ultimate in deactivation technology. A
game-changing policing and security method, its RF directed energy product
disables vehicles, bringing them to an immediate, involuntary stop,
without causing collateral damage.
SafeStop is unlike other deactivation technologies. Its effector transmits
a discrete, single RF beam to scramble the electronics of a vehicle, such
as UAVs, without disrupting useful frequencies such as GPS. Other
technologies will block the operating frequencies of the vehicle to make
it stop.
When Teledyne e2v's new compact marinised system, launches later this
year, it will have the power to stop jet skis and small boats with
outboard engines and exposed electronics. It offers a safer and more
efficient method of combating piracy, people, drugs smuggling and hostile
attacks.
Compact, fast and powerful
Teledyne e2v's SafeStop sub-system is very compact. Designed to fit on a
Cutter class patrol boat, or even a Destroyer, it stows away into a small
space and when deployed doesn't obscure the view of the helmsman.
It's quick to engage, too. The SafeStop sub-system can be deployed in
under 10 seconds, and it only takes 1-2 seconds of RF energy to bring a
boat or jet ski to a stop. This is critical for maritime policing, as
speed is essential when in pursuit.
SafeStop's RF beam, in this form, has a range of 100-150 metres - about
the length of a large football pitch - which makes it much easier for
maritime police to remain in the necessary range of a target attempting to
outrun a patrol boat.
A safer stop
SafeStop's technology is far more effective, efficient and safer than
traditional maritime policing methods. Its directed energy is designed to
be as safe as possible. The RF energy is targeted with a narrow beam of 10
degree spread. The fast and directed nature of SafeStop keeps RF exposure
to a minimum and well within safe levels for humans.
The SafeStop technology only has a temporary impact, which is beneficial
for maritime police and security managing the situation. Once the RF beam
has been switched off, any vehicle that has been disabled will continue to
function as normal. This makes the salvaging process much less complicated
and in cases where an intercepted boat is found to be legitimate, it will
be able to resume its journey, undamaged.
A policing ecosystem
Teledyne e2v typically engages with government bodies and the defence
agencies, providing the RF directed energy product to integrate seamlessly
within a full policing security system. For maritime law enforcement, the
police also need radar technology and cameras to create an accurate and
effective policing approach.
The technologies can work together very efficiently to track down and
intercept criminals on the seas: radar detects a boat or jet ski, cameras
help identify whether it's a target of interest or not, and if the vessel
needs to be intercepted, SafeStop's RF directed energy is engaged and
marine vessels are deactivated, stopping criminals in their tracks in just
seconds.
