Germany is testing a submarine hunter drone
15 October, 2024 BlueWhale naval reconnaissance drone. Photo: Israel Aerospace Industries The German Navy is testing the BlueWhale underwater drone, designed for covert reconnaissance and search for enemy submarines.
The Defense Network reported on this. The publication's journalists learned that the German Navy will be testing BlueWhale autonomous underwater drones from Israel Aerospace Industries until the end of November. The tests will take place in the Baltic Sea near Eckernferde.
The new drones have the potential to expand the capabilities of the German Navy by providing better operational awareness in maritime areas without the use of expensive ships and large numbers of personnel. The preliminary results of the tests, conducted jointly with the Bundeswehr Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Technical Support (BAAINBw), were reportedly "extremely promising."
A graphical representation of BlueWhale.
Photo: Israel Aerospace Industries
BlueWhale
BlueWhale is an unmanned submarine from the Israeli company IAI. It has already successfully endured over 2000 hours in the world's oceans, including the Atlantic, North and Mediterranean Sea, and Indian Ocean. The 11-meter unmanned submarine weighs about 5.5 tons, making it suitable for use in shallow waters in the Baltic Sea's coastal waters.
The maximum permissible diving depth is about 300 meters. The BlueWhale is equipped with a suite of acoustic and sonar sensors for underwater target acquisition, including a separate towed sonar. The retractable mast is also equipped with optical sensors and its own radar.
Such a system is capable of providing long-term patrolling at sea using active sensors or covert reconnaissance exclusively through passive detection systems. The onboard computer processes the data received from the sensors.
If targets are detected, a report is transmitted via satellite to the nearest vessel or naval unit.
In addition to simply reporting, the reconnaissance drone is also capable of mapping the seabed, scouting for mines, and creating maps.
BlueWhale is capable of reaching speeds of up to 7 knots (13 km/h) and can complete missions that may last for up to four weeks.