Innovative drone model appears at Singapore defence exhibition, while builder hopes to further develop the design with input from German Navy.
German naval shipbuilder Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems (TKMS) for the first time has displayed a model of their unique “MEKO S-X” ASW drone at the IMDEX Asia 2025 maritime defence exhibition in Singapore in early May 2025. While the design remains at the conceptual stage, the distinct configuration for an uncrewed surface vehicle makes this first appearance in model-form at an international trade show a notable event.
Naval News understands that TKMS hopes to receive further direction from the German Navy for an operational requirement possibly including a further developed MEKO S-X before the end of 2025. The timeframe coincides with the German Navy “OPEX”, for operational experimentation, demonstrating uncrewed surface drones. This OPEX primarily aims at gauging feasibility of what the service currently calls the “Future Combat Surface System” (FCSS). FCSS intends to complement German K130 corvettes in the anti-surface warfare (ASuW) and littoral warfare-role. Nevertheless the service continues to propose a much broader requirement for uncrewed systems, covering a range of applications, including reconnaissance, seabed- and mine-warfare. This particular process dates to 2023, when the German Navy first unveiled their “Zielbild Marine 2035+”.
TKMS has first unveiled the MEKO S-X-concept in late 2022, with a distinct emphasis on uncrewed anti-submarine warfare (ASW). According to a presentation by TKM the unique design with a submerged primary hull and a submarine-like sail that remains above water while underway, displaces 250 tons at a length of 52 metres. As a comparison, the American Sea Hunter USV is 40 metres long at a displacement of 135 tons. Beam is 4 metres at a draft of 6 metres. MEKO S-X is diesel-powered for a range of 1,700 nautical miles, with a maintenance interval of 42 days.
Of particular note about the design are a relatively high top and sustained speed. MEKO S-X reaches 22 knots, and cruises at 16-18 knots to perform as ASW screen for naval task forces. The drone deploys a towed array sonar (TAS) in conjunction with hull mounted sensors for passive detection of submerged targets. Furthermore MEKO S-X may use a variable depth-sonar (VDS) for active detection. In such a configuration the drone cooperates with passive sensors for bistatic sensing within a distributed ASW-force.
MEKO S-X aims to fulfill two separate requirements for ASW-operations. One is the mentioned fleet escort role. Here the USV can notionally supplement or even replace crewed ASW platforms, freeing up tasked frigates for other important missions. Depending on operations the builder suggests such a posture may release up to two ASW-frigates for other assignments.
In addition the MEKO S-X-concept aims to fulfill a patrol requirement for maritime choke points. In this scenario the USV could operate in conjunction with UUVs providing persistent passive detection. The UUV in this context provides very high endurance and low detectability, while sacrificing speed and hence mobility. TKMS particularly promotes its also conceptual “Stargazer” large uncrewed underwater vehicle as ideally suited for such complementary taskings. Furthermore the German Navy is presently evaluating the Israeli “BlueWhale” UUV for similar surveillance operations.
Drone-development continues to take a dynamic pace, with navies still experimenting with a variety of basic applications in order to formulate more precise requirements for operational deployment. The German Navy continues to evolve the aforementioned “Zielbild Marine 2035+”, most recently with the “Kurs Marine” pathway for development between 2025 and 2035, on which Naval News will provide further analysis in the near future. Whether MEKO S-X will have a place in such a future posture or attract further international interest, however, remains to be seen.
