The primary objective of this project is to deploy a UAV from a submarine in so-called “deep” immersion. It can be controlled from the submarine and share data with the dived submarine.
Launched a year ago as part of an experimental operation with the French Navy and the AID (Defense Innovation Agency), the SME from the south of France built on its X-SUB remote underwater antenna concept to innovate and go further in collecting information from submerged submarines
The primary objective of this project is to deploy a UAV from a submarine in so-called “deep” immersion. It can be controlled from the submarine and share data with the dived submarine. For mission control, the UAV can be given a predefined mission prior to deployment, or it can be given a mission when the UAV is in flight. To pilot it from underwater, the company uses its existing solution, which consists of a remote antenna launched from the submarine’s SSE when it is underwater, and which acts as a relay signal. This is deployed just before the UAV’s release, which takes place via the same channel as the X-SUB, and is linked to a “ground control system” implemented in the submarine.
In order to be waterproof, the UAV is contained in a jettisonable capsule the size of the SSE. If the submarine doesn’t operate its X-SUB, it still has the option of piloting the UAV via its traditional communication masts, provided the frequencies used match those of the UAV. Similarly, if the submarine doesn’t have an SSE, another variant of this Blackbird is under study. It would be launched from outside the submarine using a larger drone, and would be charged before setting off on a mission, and potentially reusable.
Olivier Jacques, radiocommunication sales manager at ALSEAMAR said:
“The submarine could carry four or five. For example, for a submarine on the seabed, this solution has real added value, as it could motivate its ascent by the images brought back by the UAV in addition to the radio elements they would receive.”
Thanks to this RF connection and via an in-house technological brick, the submarine could deploy the UAV at a distance of over 20km. However, this result is not confimed as this system is not implemented in Blackbird itself, but tests have been conducted with another “bigger” platform giving this type of result. According to Olivier Jacques: “We can hope for something similar with Blackbird.”
For the time being, the project is still in the testing phase, but tests are carried out every week at sea. The first of these took place in May of this year on board a Suffren-class submarine in immersion and periscope immersion, and another phase on a submarine is planned for 2025. No production launch target has been set. The French Navy and DGA have yet to validate this project in France.
Operation concepts are still being defined, but the UAV could be adapted to suit user requirements, according to the manufacturer. Several payloads are being studied, such as a radio relay, electronic warfare kit, IR, etc.
The UAV itself weighs between 1 and 2 kg, depending on the payload, and is 60 cm long, enabling the submarine to bring a batch if required. In terms of video, the UAV has detection capability but which is currently without generative AI.
