United States has ordered Sea-Stalker naval strike drones

23 September, 2024 Swift Sea-Stalker sUSV. Photo credits: Swiftships For the first time, the American company Swiftships has been awarded a contract to supply its naval strike drones to the U.S.

Navy. The news was published on the company's website. The Swiftships shipbuilding company will supply its new development as part of the U.S.

Department of Defense's "Replicator" Program capabilities. It is known that the new multi-purpose reconnaissance and strike maritime systems will be put into service by the Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), which is part of the US Navy's Naval Sea Systems Command. The number of ordered systems and delivery dates are not specified.

On its website, the developer notes the possibility of rapid production of 15-20 drones per month.

A Sea-Stalker at the Technology Readiness Experimentation exhibition, USA, August 2024. Photo credits: Swiftships

Swift Sea-Stalker

The Swift Sea-Stalker is a 6-meter long small Unmanned Surface Vehicle designed to perform reconnaissance and strike missions in either guided or autonomous mode without the need for an operator.

The drone boasts a top speed of over 45 knots (86 km/h), an effective range of 1,000 nautical miles (1,800 km), and an endurance of 40 hours. Such characteristics allow the drone to cover long distances, providing patrolling and protection of large coastal areas and waters. The unmanned platform is capable of carrying a payload of up to 680 kg.

This can be reconnaissance equipment, cargo or onboard weapons. The strike version of the Sea-Stalker is equipped with a launcher for four AGM-179 JAGM multi-purpose missiles with a dual-mode seeker, which can be guided by a laser beam or autonomously using its own extremely high frequency radar.

A Swift Sea-Stalker in traveling mode. Photo: Swiftships

A Swift Sea-Stalker is ready for battle.

Photo: Swiftships

The drone is controlled via satellite communications. The drone is equipped with an optical complex with a thermal imaging channel, as well as Furuno DRS2DNXT radar and Furuno DFF3D sonar for operator control. The Sea-Stalker has a robust aluminum hull adapted for operation in the combat zone.

The developer also notes that the platform is equipped with a self-flooding system to prevent capture by the enemy.

The vessel's power plant is represented by a Yanmar 4LV230 engine with a capacity of 230 horsepower, which drives a Hamilton Water Jet HJ-213 waterjet engine.

However, the developer also offers an alternative with a propeller.