Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), in collaboration with WESEE (Indian Navy), has successfully developed the Advanced Autonomous Navigation & Control Software (A2NCS), a breakthrough indigenous software suite designed for autonomous Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs). The software enables fully autonomous, unmanned operations of the Indian Navy’s agile surface craft, the Fast Interceptor Boat (FIB), marking a significant advancement in maritime autonomy.
A2NCS integrates a comprehensive network of sensors, including RADAR, AIS, EO/IR, INS and GPS, along with Electronic Navigation Charts (ENC), to provide high levels of situational awareness. This ensures safe and reliable unmanned operations, even in dense maritime traffic environments. Key capabilities of the software include intelligent obstacle avoidance, AI-driven situational awareness and multiple operational modes, ranging from remote control and autonomous waypoint navigation to fully software-driven autonomy.
A major milestone achieved by A2NCS is its IRClass certification by the Indian Register of Shipping, making it the first indigenously developed USV software to be certified for quality and reliability. The certification followed rigorous sea trials during autonomous operations of the A-FIB, with strict evaluation of COLREG compliance, cyber resilience and fail-safe performance.
Powered by A2NCS, the Autonomous Fast Interceptor Boat has already been deployed by the Indian Navy for Mine Counter Measure missions and combat exercises, demonstrating its operational effectiveness. The development underscores BEL and the Indian Navy’s strong commitment to indigenous innovation and significantly strengthens the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in the defence and maritime domain.
