Hovercraft Owners/Operators from around the world met in September at
Griffon Hoverwork’s manufacturing site in Southampton, UK for the annual
Griffon Hovercraft user group conference.
The meeting provides an opportunity for hovercraft users to get
together to exchange views and ideas on the best operating practices for these
specialized but versatile craft.
It also provides Griffon Hoverwork with a forum to keep customers
updated on new technologies in the field of hovercraft manufacture and
operation. Mike Whitlock was invited to present on some of the latest electronic technologies finding applications in hovercraft.
MES have provided the navigation and communication outfits for
Griffon’s hovercraft for many years now.
Mike’s presentation included information on the recently completed mini
integrated bridge system (MIBS) installed on the new Indian Coastguard
hovercraft and some video footage of the system in action on board the craft.
The core MIBS system comprises multifunction displays showing radar,
electronic chart system and bespoke conning display (produced by MES
specifically for GHL to display hovercraft controls and instrumentation). A recent key additional component of
the MIBS is the electro-optical thermal imaging camera system. These systems are gaining significant
popularity amongst coastguard and military operators and in this instance MES
integrated the camera picture into the conning display and provided control
from the radar and GPS.
Mike also outlined some of the situational awareness bolt-on equipment
for hovercraft to allow them to operate as a rapidly deployable surveillance
vehicle or command and control centre.
Such equipment includes surveillance radars, situational awareness
software, sensors and data communications systems such as self healing mesh
networks, and use of 3/4G cellular data services to transmit a real time surveillance
picture between units.
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