Thales and ASV, an unmanned surface vessel technology company, are strengthening their partnership in Britain.

The move to jointly develop autonomous unmanned surface vehicles follows successful trials of their jointly developed Halcyon, an unmanned surface vessel that is a key asset of the French - U.K. Maritime Mine Counter Measures program, Thales said.

The optionally crewed Halcyon is nearly 38 feet long and has top speed of 30 knots. Designed and built by ASV, it provides high speed transit, stability, maneuverability and endurance and uses Thales' mission and autonomy management systems.

In recent trials it demonstrated autonomous operations involving complex behaviors and demonstrated how a USV can work autonomously with a multi-national squad of unmanned underwater vehicles.

"This agreement, which builds on the strong existing relationship and the combined skills and expertise of the two companies, provides world leading, innovative solutions for autonomous maritime requirements," Thales said.

European Defense Agency orders Saab ammunition
Linkoping, Sweden (UPI) Jan 25, 2016 - Saab Defense has received an order from the European Defense Agency for production of 84mm recoilless rifle ammunition for member countries.

The order comes under the terms of Saab´s 2014 framework agreement with EDA that allows for coordinated procurement of Carl-Gustaf ammunition by EDA member states Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic and Poland.

That agreement -- effective for five years with two additional option years -- carries a potential value of nearly $53.48 million.

"This order is further proof of our ability to deliver Carl-Gustaf ammunition in a flexible and efficient way," said Torbjorn Saxmo, head of Saab's Ground Combat division, which is part of its Dynamics business area. "In order to maintain capable and deployment-ready forces, the customer has high demands on the weapon deliveries and I am proud that we can offer these solutions whenever needed."

Saab said deliveries of the ammunition will occur next year.

The Carl-Gustaf M4 is a recoilless rifle for use against armored vehicles, obstacles and enemies in buildings and other fortifications.