DRASS press release
Drass and Leonardo: Redefining Maritime Security
In an era where maritime threats are shifting from deep blue waters to littoral and coastal regions, Drass and Leonardo have joined forces to address these challenges head-on, entering a strategic partnership. The result sees Drass DS8 Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV), a stealthy submersible designed for patrol and intelligence missions, now configurable with optional light torpedo launch capabilities. Featuring two launch tubes equipped for Leonardo’s Black Scorpion light torpedoes, DS8 now delivers an advanced, combat-ready platform for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and maritime security missions.
DS8 & Black Scorpion: Proven Performance
This summer, this collaboration achieved a significant milestone. During sea trials, the DS8 SDV successfully launched Black Scorpion torpedoes in both static and dynamic conditions, demonstrating the platform’s readiness for critical missions tailored to today’s complex maritime security environment.
Black Scorpion: Advanced Capability in Shallow Waters
Black Scorpion is a state-of-the-art 5” diameter light torpedo specifically designed for shallow-water operations. As a new product from Leonardo, it showcases the latest in subsea defence technology and innovation. Its advanced features make it ideal for countering both fast-moving surface vessels and conventional submarines at depth, providing invaluable deterrence and defence against maritime terrorism.
DS8: Stealth and Versatility in Shallow Waters
Drass DS8 swimmer delivery vehicle is designed for demanding operational scenarios. With a maximum operational depth of 50 msw and transportable at depths of 100 msw, DS8 is firmly positioned as a versatile solution for critical patrol of maritime territories and assets, intelligence gathering, and asymmetric countermeasures. Drass Ronda LUUV (Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicle) is also configurable with Black Scorpion.
Equipping Drass’ manned and unmanned submersibles with leonardo’s Leonardo’s Black Scorpion undoubtably serves as a force multiplier for the deterrence and rapid response of emerging maritime threats across extensive coastal and littoral environments.
Luca Biasci, Swimmer Delivery Vehicle and Unmanned Vehicle Program Manager at Drass, commented: “The collaboration between Leonardo and Drass, two leading Italian companies in the field of underwater technologies, has been an exceptional synergy. Together, we have successfully addressed the critical deterrence requirements for protecting underwater infrastructures. This achievement is a testament to the outstanding teamwork and expertise of both technical teams involved.”
This partnership between Drass and Leonardo underscores a shared commitment to advancing innovation in maritime security, equipping nations with cutting-edge tools to safeguard their waters.
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Naval News comments
The well-known Drass company for underwater combatant and submarine rescue vehicles and systems and Leonardo underwater specialized unit (the previously well-known WASS), both based in Leghorn area, have joined forces to demonstrate the capability to integrate and launch in both static and dynamic conditions, the Leonardo Black Scorpion mini-torpedo from 8.6 metres long Drass DS8 Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV).
According to the press statement, these activities have demonstrated the vehicle can now be offered in an armed configuration with a tailored weapon for shallow water operations. A key demonstration for the family of Drass SDVs, which also includes the unmanned longer range version of the DS8 called Ronda LUUV (Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicle), making this capability also available for an unmanned platform, which a navy can use to expand the surveillance and reaction capabilities confronted by different smaller manned and unmanned vehicles. The torpedo’s primary purpose is to force hidden threats like midget submarines or underwater unmanned vehicles to reveal themselves, accelerating the classification process and avoiding the use of more expensive conventional torpedoes.
The demonstration, which was conducted last summer with the support and at the sea site of the Italian Navy’s Centro di Supporto e Sperimentazione Navale (Naval Support and Experimental Centre) at La Spezia, registered the successful launch of the Black Scorpion mini-torpedo from the DS8 SDV in both static and dynamic conditions. The Drass DS8 SDV has been integrated with two specifically developed torpedo launching tube positioned on each side of the vehicle under the crew cockpit section. Based on the video streaming, the successful firings conducted by personnel of both companies with the Drass SDV being stationary and moving with the upper side of the vehicle at the surface level, showed the mini-torpedo leaving the launching tube and reach the cruise set point just below the platform bottom, demonstrating the capability of the platform to employ the weapon system in very shallow waters, within 5-to-10 metres depth.
The DS8 is the larger variant of the DS-class of SDVs, which has a modular design with a layout that maximizes the internal space and reduces hydrodynamic resistance. Specifically designed for patrolling, infiltration and attack of strategic targets, the DS-8 can accommodate up to eight divers including two pilots and six combatants or a combination of divers and payload. With a length, beam and height of respectively 8.6, 1.6 and 1.72 metres, the DS-8 has a weight of 4 tonnes, including a gear container payload of 280 kg, and features an electrical propulsion with an overall 60 kWh overall battery capacity, allowing a maximum submerged speed of 6.5 knots and 4.5 knots cruise speed at 3 metres depth while on surface with payload this speed reaches 3 knots. With a maximum operating depth with crew of 50 metres and capable to reach 100 metres while being transported by mother vessel, the DS-8 is equipped with advanced sensor technology, including a 360 degrees gyrostabilized optronic system that includes day/night optical sight, thermal imaging and CCTV capabilities, alongside forward-looking sonar (FLS) for enhanced situational awareness. The DS Class navigation and platform control system, designed and developed by Drass, visualizes navigation, platform control data and relevant alarms, manages the electronic nautical charts and controls the 3D autopilot system.
As anticipated, starting from the DS8, Drass is developing the Ronda LUUV designed for ISR and potential minelaying operations. The internal space dedicated to the crew and the divers has been reconfigured for autonomous guidance, additional batteries and payload capacity. The result is an approximately 11 metres long platform in full configuration which has extended endurance and operational capabilities. Based on a modular design, the vehicle can be however further extended or reduced in length based on customer requirements. The Ronda could be the base of a platform DRASS can propose for the requirement the Italian Navy is putting together for a LUUV. In the meantime, Naval News understood the DS-8 could have been sold to at least one or two customers while negotiations are ongoing with potential clients, especially in the Middle East and Asian areas. There are indications that reportedly points to Indonesia as the launch customer for the Ronda platform. The Black Scorpion is 1.1 meters long mini-torpedo with a 127 mm diameter and a weight of less than 20 kg, which can be operated from very shallow waters up to depths of 200 meters. Equipped with an active/passive acoustic head and an electrical motor allowing a top speed in excess of 15 knots, the Black Scorpion is equipped with a 2.8 kg PBX-type explosive omni-directional charge fitted with an impact, time delay or flat battery mode fuse. The Black Scorpion can be preselected by the launching platform thanks to a magnetic interface to follow specific operating modes, including the capacity of setting selected search areas and depths to protect friendly platforms. The Black Scorpion is known to have a launch operator but Leonardo hasn’t provided information on other customers, confirming only strong interest and discussions with potential ones.
