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2024-12-11
Drones of the Deep: The New Face of Maritime Warfare
Military Robotics - Part 5
In the previous instalment of our Military Robotics series, Waves and Wings: A Deeper Look at Maritime UAVs, we explored how nations such as France, Israel, Turkey, Japan, Australia, and Germany are leveraging Maritime Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to redefine naval operations.
This built on our earlier coverage of U.S., Chinese, Russian, and British deployments, delving into how these aerial assets enhance fleet capabilities in various ways.
This final focus on maritime UAVs delves into the advancements and deployments by a few remaining countries.
Maritime UAVs are transforming naval operations for many countries. The integration of UAVs into naval forces has significant implications for how maritime missions are conducted, bringing substantial operational advantages in terms of surveillance, reconnaissance, targeting, and combat effectiveness. They provide a cost-effective alternative to manned surveillance platforms, which require higher operational costs, including fuel, maintenance and personnel.
The future of maritime UAVs is promising, with technological advancements and evolving military strategies that will expand their capabilities and increase their importance in naval operations.
As navies around the world continue to explore ways to maximise the operational advantages of maritime UAVs, several key trends and developments are expected to shape the future of such drones:
Increased Autonomy and AI Integration
Future maritime UAVs are expected to become increasingly autonomous, relying less on human intervention and enabling complex, multi-mission operations. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning will drive real-time decision-making, adaptation to dynamic environments, and optimised mission execution.
UAVs will operate in autonomous swarms, collaborating to cover vast areas, overwhelm defences, or perform simultaneous surveillance and strike missions, with AI enhancing efficiency and coordination. AI will enable mission adaptation, allowing UAVs to adjust flight paths, surveillance priorities, or objectives based on real-time intelligence, enemy movements, or environmental conditions.
Integration with Advanced Sensor Technologies
Maritime UAVs will feature advanced sensor payloads, enhancing their capabilities in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), targeting, and combat. These include next-generation radar systems, such as Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), for tracking maritime targets like submarines and ships in challenging conditions.
Enhanced electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors will offer higher resolution and extended detection ranges for visible and infrared signatures. UAVs will also play a growing role in anti-submarine warfare (ASW), equipped with advanced sonar, sonobuoys, and other sub-surface detection technologies to improve submarine tracking.
Greater Payload and Strike Capabilities
Future maritime UAVs will extend beyond surveillance to carry heavier weapon payloads and engage in offensive operations. They may deploy precision-guided munitions, such as anti-ship missiles or torpedoes, to accurately target surface vessels and submarines.
Equipped with AI and advanced targeting sensors, UAVs could autonomously identify and strike enemy vessels, aircraft, or land-based targets, enhancing naval offensive capabilities.
UAVs are expected to support electronic warfare, employing jamming, cyber-attacks, and deception to disrupt enemy communications, radar systems, and sensor networks.
Increased Interoperability with Manned Platforms
Advanced UAVs will increasingly integrate with manned naval platforms, enabling coordinated and effective networked operations.
Carrier-based UAVs will support aircraft carrier groups by providing intelligence, extending surveillance range, or conducting strikes, often complementing manned fighter aircraft. They will operate seamlessly with surface ships and submarines, offering real-time data, aiding target identification, and autonomously launching attacks.
Unified command and control (C2) systems will allow UAVs to share data across all naval platforms, ensuring synchronised responses to emerging threats.
Expansion in Commercial and Dual-Use Roles
Advancing UAV technology will broaden commercial and civilian maritime applications alongside naval operations.
UAVs will assist in maritime surveillance, search-and-rescue missions, and disaster response, as well as monitor environmental factors like sea level rise, pollution, and marine biodiversity. Modular UAVs, customisable with various sensors and payloads, will enhance versatility for both military and civilian use, increasing cost-effectiveness.
Advanced Launch and Recovery Systems
As UAVs become central to naval operations, advanced launch and recovery technologies will enable deployment from ships, submarines, and offshore platforms.
Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) UAVs will offer flexibility for smaller vessels by eliminating runway needs, while catapult launch and arrested landing systems will enhance operations aboard carriers. Submarine-launched UAVs will provide covert capabilities for intelligence and anti-submarine missions.
Future Challenges and Countermeasures
As UAVs advance, counter-UAV technologies will evolve, creating an arms race. Jamming techniques will target UAV communications and navigation, while nations will develop systems to detect, intercept, or destroy hostile UAVs, including directed energy weapons and drone-on-drone countermeasures.
Global Competition and Proliferation
As maritime UAVs become more widespread, global investment will rise, with smaller states and non-state actors seeking tactical advantages. Countries like China, India, Russia, and Israel are already developing maritime UAVs, and this trend will accelerate. Smaller nations may use UAVs in asymmetric warfare, countering larger navies with unconventional strategies.
Country-by-Country Exploration
Let us continue our discussion by exploring a few more countries that are utilising maritime UAVs:
Italy’s Naval Eyes
Italy has been developing Maritime UAVs to enhance surveillance, reconnaissance, and tactical flexibility. The Italian Navy (Marina Militare) uses these technologies to support operations in the Mediterranean and broader defence initiatives.
Here are some key maritime UAVs currently used or developed by Italy:
Piaggio P.1HH HammerHead: The Piaggio P.1HH HammerHead, developed by Piaggio Aerospace, is a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UAV designed for maritime surveillance. With up to 16 hours of flight time, it is equipped with high-definition cameras, radar systems, and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for real-time data and target detection. Launchable from land or ships, the P.1HH is integrated into the Italian Navy for missions such as maritime domain awareness, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and border patrol, focusing on Italy’s Mediterranean interests.
Alenia Aermacchi Sky-Y: The Sky-Y, developed by Alenia Aermacchi (Leonardo), is a tactical UAV for maritime surveillance. It offers extended endurance, equipped with EO/IR cameras, radar, and communications relays. Deployed from ships or ground bases, it provides real-time intelligence and target detection, mainly in the Mediterranean.
Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force) Collaboration: The Italian Air Force operates UAVs for border security, search-and-rescue, and anti-piracy missions. Deployed alongside naval operations, these systems provide broad-area surveillance.
Nautilus UAS: Nautilus is a smaller UAV used by Italian defence forces for maritime surveillance and border control. It carries lightweight EO/IR sensors for ship tracking, illegal fishing, and search-and-rescue, with easy deployment from small platforms or land sites.
Korea’s Wings of Innovation
The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) is advancing UAV technologies to bolster maritime surveillance.
KUS-FT: The KUS-FT, developed by Korean Aerospace Industries, is a tactical UAV that gained airworthiness certification in 2016 and began mass production in 2020.
It operates autonomously from takeoff to landing, with continuous reconnaissance capabilities for up to 24 hours when deployed in pairs.
The KUS-FT’s autonomous landing technology and mobility make it highly adaptable, allowing for ground-based transport and launch from mobile platforms, enhancing operational flexibility and safety.
Korean Air is developing the KUS-VS, a hybrid-electric VTOL UAV designed for military tactical operations. Featuring independent lift and cruise thrusters, it offers superior speeds and extended range compared to conventional helicopters. With a cruise speed of 120 km/h and a maximum range of 80 km, the KUS-VS can fly for over five hours at altitudes up to 4.5 km. Its modular design allows for easy transport, and it is equipped with EO/IR sensors for day and night operations.
Iran’s Drone Arsenal
Iran has developed several maritime UAVs for reconnaissance and combat, primarily used by its naval forces to monitor and secure its coastal areas, maritime borders, and strategic locations in the Persian Gulf. Key UAVs include the Shahed-129 and Mohajer-6, both serving for surveillance, reconnaissance, and offensive operations.
Shahed-129: The Shahed-129 is an Iranian single-engine medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed by Shahed Aviation Industries for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). It is capable of combat and reconnaissance missions and has an endurance of 24 hours; it is similar in size, shape, and role to the American MQ-1 Predator and is widely considered the most capable drone in Iranian service.
Though the Shahed-129 airframe is likely capable of its claimed 1700 km combat range, it relies on a ground control station, which Iranian state media say is limited to a 200 km datalink. Independent analysts are more positive, saying the effective range is likely 300–400 km, but are clear that the drone’s reliance on a ground station severely circumscribes its effective range.
Mohajer-6: The Mohajer-6, an ISTAR UAV, carries multispectral surveillance payloads and up to two precision-guided munitions. It is used for intelligence gathering and precision strike missions. It has a 10-metre wingspan and is equipped with a fixed forward-facing camera, a gimbal for IR and visible light imagery, and hardpoints for weapons. It can also be fitted with electronic warfare payloads. It has an autopilot system capable of automatic takeoff and landing. The Mohajer-10 is the latest in this series.
Brazil’s Unmanned Aerial Arsenal
The Brazilian Navy uses UAVs like the ScanEagle for ISR missions in the South Atlantic and is developing indigenous platforms to monitor offshore oil platforms and maritime borders.
Its key maritime UAVs include:
Insitu ScanEagle: Brazilian Navy Multipurpose Aircraft Carrier (NAM) Atlantico (A 140) launched ScanEagle Drone for first time in July 2022. The Insitu ScanEagle (RQ-1) used is capable of performing high precision surveillance, reconnaissance and data collection missions. It has a maximum range of 54 nautical miles (approximately 100km) from the base ship and up to 24 hours of autonomy.
It can hold up to eight litres of fuel, has a wingspan of 3.1 metres and has an electro-optical camera with a zoom that zooms in up to 171 times. This means that, flying at an altitude of 2,000 feet, the system is capable of recording the image of a vehicle’s licence plate.
K-MAX: A UAV designed for logistics and surveillance, tested in maritime operations. It has endurance and payload capacity to deliver supplies to remote naval platforms.
IAI Heron 1: Procured from Israel, it provides long-range maritime surveillance, monitoring Brazil’s coastlines and offshore platforms with high-resolution imagery and real-time data.
Caçador: A Brazilian version of the Heron 1, the Caçador is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance UAV capable of flying for over 40 hours at altitudes up to 30,000 feet. It can operate up to 1,000 km from its control station via satellite communication.
X-7: An indigenous UAV designed for maritime reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition to protect oil rigs, naval ships, and critical maritime routes.
NAURU 500C: A new UAV introduced for search and rescue operations, capable of operating from both land and naval platforms. It has a range of 60 km, a four-hour endurance, and VTOL capability.
Brazil’s maritime UAVs focus on ISR with electro-optical, infrared, and radar sensors, supporting the defence strategy and offshore resource exploration.
Canada’s Skyward Defenders
The Royal Canadian Navy uses UAVs for ISR, Arctic monitoring, and search-and-rescue operations. UAVs like the ScanEagle are part of its fleet, with an increasing emphasis on boosting UAV capabilities for both coastal and deep-water surveillance.
Skeldar V-200 UAS: QinetiQ is providing drones to the Canadian Armed Forces, including the Canadian Navy. The vertical take-off UAS, which is based on the UMS Skeldar V-200 UAS, serves the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Special Operations Forces Command. Skeldar V-200 is a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) capable of supporting applications including reconnaissance, identification, target acquisition and electronic warfare. It has the ability to offer ISTAR services for both domestic and international operations. The system features several sensors including an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and electro-optic infrared (EO/IR) camera.
UAV V-BAT aircraft: The Martin UAV V-BAT aircraft was selected to provide the unique ability to combine takeoff and landing from the small confines aboard ship with the long endurance of a fixed-wing aircraft while carrying multiple sensors.
The aircraft will communicate with the Kongsberg Geospatial sensor data management system, called MIDAS, which allows a range of sensor data, including full-motion video from unmanned systems to be processed and exploited in near real-time by analysts on board Canadian Coast Guard ships. MIDAS provides the capability to compare historical and live data from the mission area, and to examine sensor data with a variety of tools, including motion and object detection, in near-real time. This near real-time analytical capability can greatly enhance the effectiveness of UAVs for a variety of mission types.
The V-BAT provided by Martin UAV is a fixed-wing vertical take-off and landing aircraft specifically designed to operate from very small spaces on ships, land, and nearly any environment. The V-BAT is a long-endurance aircraft capable of carrying multiple sensors, including land and maritime wide area surveillance.
The Martin UAV V-BAT and Kongsberg MIDAS will enhance Coast Guard surveillance for search and rescue and iceberg tracking, eliminating the need for manned aircraft.
MQ-9B SkyGuardian RPAS from GA-ASI: The Government of Canada has signed a contract to purchase a fleet of MQ-9B SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) last year. The order includes the associated Certified Ground Control Stations and support equipment from GA-ASI. The first delivery is expected in 2028.
The SkyGuardian RPAS is interoperable with Canada’s domestic missions and its continental defence missions through NORAD, as well as with Canada’s closest allies, including the Five Eyes Alliance (FVEY) and NATO, for seamless integration with current and future Canadian defence, civil air, and ground assets.
Team SkyGuardian Canada is a coalition of leading Canadian businesses, including CAE, MDA Ltd., and L3Harris Technologies, that are working with GA-ASI on MQ-9B development, delivery, and sustainment.
MQ-9B is the next generation of RPAS, delivering exceptionally long endurance and range, with auto takeoff and landing under SATCOM-only control, and will be able to operate in unsegregated airspace using the GA-ASI developed Detect and Avoid system.
Aerial Evolution Ahead
The future of maritime UAVs is marked by growing autonomy, interoperability, and strike capabilities, alongside more advanced sensor technologies and expanded roles in both military and commercial sectors.
They will become a cornerstone of modern naval forces, enhancing surveillance, reconnaissance, targeting, and strike capabilities while substantially reducing risks to human life and offering more flexible, cost-effective operational options.
However, challenges such as counter-UAV technologies, legal frameworks, and regional security dynamics also need to be addressed as maritime UAVs continue to evolve.
(Next issue: Let’s dive into the future of naval warfare with Unmanned Surface Vehicles and their game-changing potential).
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