Cerberus goes yachting

Qinetiq has secured the sale of its Cerberus high performance diver and swimmer detection sonar system into the yacht market for the first time.

The system will be deployed to protect a large private yacht and its passengers while at anchor or alongside in harbour. Cerberus, designed to provide early warning of underwater threats to ships and other high value assets, has previously been trialled with naval forces around the world and is currently under extended evaluation with the US Navy.

A Cerberus unit will be accommodated in a specially designed moon-pool built into the hull of the private yacht and is expected to go into service in early 2007.

Cerberus is able to detect and locate swimmers and divers at ranges exceeding 800 metres, providing operators with sufficient time to establish whether that individual represents a threat and decide upon an appropriate response.

This sale follows the successful deployment of Cerberus in a non-military environment for the first time. Cerberus formed part of the measures to protect the America’s Cup, the world’s most famous yachting trophy, during this summer’s ranking events in Valencia. Two sonar units were deployed under a leasing arrangement.