Submarine Drones: Tech Firms Battle for Undersea Dominance

Underwater Drones: The New Battleground Beneath the Waves

Flying drones have revolutionized land battle tactics in the ukraine war, and now a similar shift appears to be happening underwater. Navies worldwide are racing to integrate autonomous submarines into their fleets.

The UK’s Royal Navy is planning a fleet of underwater uncrewed vehicles (UUVs) to lead in submarine tracking and the protection of undersea cables and pipelines. australia is investing $1.7bn (£1.3bn) in “Ghost Shark” submarines to counter Chinese submarines, while the US Navy is dedicating billions to several UUV projects, including systems already launched from nuclear submarines.

According to Scott Jamieson, managing director for maritime and land defense solutions at BAE Systems, these autonomous uncrewed submarines represent “a genuine step-change in the underwater battle space.” They allow navies to “scale up in ways that just weren’t available before,” at “a fraction of the cost of manned submarines.”

This emerging market is attracting both established defence companies like BAE Systems, General Dynamics, and Boeing, as well as innovative weapons tech startups such as Anduril (the maker of the Ghost Shark) and Germany’s Helsing. Startups claim they can deliver solutions faster and more affordably.

The struggle for undersea dominance has been a constant throughout much of the last century. The launch of the US’s first nuclear-powered submarine, the nautilus, in 1954, marked a turning point, and nuclear-armed vessels now form the core of the armed forces of six nations: the US, Russia, the UK, France, China, and India, with North Korea also joining the ranks.

UK boosts Undersea Security with Drones to Guard Vital Cables

The UK is bolstering its undersea security with a new fleet of drones designed to protect critical infrastructure like data and energy cables, responding to growing threats of sabotage. Recent incidents, including the 2022 explosions targeting the Nord stream gas pipeline, damage to the Balticconnector pipeline between Finland and Estonia in 2023, and cuts to undersea cables in the Baltic Sea and between Finland and Estonia, have highlighted the vulnerability of these vital links.

Concerns are escalating, with the UK government accusing Russia’s Yantar surveillance ship of mapping undersea cables in british waters, and reporting a 30% increase in Russian vessels operating near UK waters in the last two years. Parliament’s defence select committee warns that damage to the 60 undersea cables around the British Isles could have “devastating consequences.”

The new strategy involves supplementing conventional crewed ships, planes, and submarines with uncrewed vessels equipped with advanced sonar technology. Andy Thomis, CEO of Cohort, a British military technology manufacturer, explains that combining human decision-making with the capabilities of uncrewed vessels offers a cost-effective solution for monitoring potential threats without risking personnel.

BAE Systems has already tested its Herne underwater drone,and cohort is exploring the use of its Krait towed sensors on smaller autonomous vessels. These new vessels boast substantially more sonar sensors than existing submarines, and their lower power requirements make them ideal for extended, uncrewed operations.

Royal Navy Seeks “Mass and Persistence” in Undersea warfare with New Cabot System

The Royal Navy and its allies are prioritizing rapid expansion of their undersea surveillance capabilities to counter increasing aggression, notably from Russia. this push involves leveraging commercial technology and partnerships, as exemplified by the potential integration of Thales UK’s systems into the new Cabot program. The goal is to achieve “mass and persistence” in underwater detection and response, according to industry experts.

Understanding the cabot Program

The Cabot program, details of which are still emerging, represents a shift in strategy for the Royal Navy.Traditionally, undersea warfare relied on a limited number of highly sophisticated, but expensive, assets. Cabot aims to augment these with a network of less expensive, more numerous systems, creating a denser and more persistent underwater surveillance network.https://www.navylookout.com/cabot-programme-to-revolutionise-royal-navy-underwater-warfare/

this approach is driven by the changing nature of the undersea threat. Modern submarines are quieter and more difficult to detect, and potential adversaries are increasing their underwater activity.

Thales UK and the Role of Commercial Technology

Thales UK is already a key supplier to the Royal Navy, providing sonar arrays for submarine-hunting ships, uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), and drones.https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/united-kingdom ian McFarlane, the sales director for underwater systems at Thales UK, highlighted the likely initial response from potential adversaries. “The first thing the Russians will do is go out and test this, and push it,” he stated.

The attraction of incorporating companies like thales into the Cabot program lies in their ability to rapidly deliver and scale solutions. The Royal Navy is actively seeking to move beyond relying solely on bespoke, government-developed systems. This allows for faster deployment and innovation by leveraging the dynamism of the commercial sector.

The Need for “Mass and Persistence”

The core rationale behind the Cabot program and the integration of commercial technology is the need for “mass and persistence.” This refers to the ability to maintain a continuous and widespread underwater surveillance presence.

Here’s a breakdown of why this is crucial:

* Increased Coverage: More sensors deployed across a wider area increase the probability of detecting adversary submarines.
* Persistent Monitoring: Continuous surveillance reduces gaps in coverage, making it harder for adversaries to operate undetected.
* Rapid Response: A denser network allows for quicker localization and tracking of threats, enabling a faster response.
* Cost-Effectiveness: Utilizing a mix of high-end and lower-cost systems can provide a more affordable solution than relying solely on expensive, bespoke platforms.

The urgency stems from what McFarlane describes as “an aggressor who is ramping up” underwater activity. Russia, in particular, has significantly increased its submarine operations in recent years, prompting a corresponding response from NATO and its allies. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/nato-says-russian-submarine-activity-near-its-members-has-increased-2023-11-21/

Key Takeaways

* The Royal Navy is implementing the Cabot program to enhance its undersea warfare capabilities.
* The program focuses on achieving “mass and persistence” through a network of diverse underwater sensors.
* Commercial companies like Thales UK are playing a crucial role in delivering and scaling these solutions.
* The initiative is driven by the increasing activity of potential adversaries, particularly Russia, in the underwater domain.

Future Outlook

The Cabot program represents a meaningful evolution in undersea warfare strategy. As the program matures and more commercial technologies are integrated, the Royal Navy aims to create a more resilient and responsive underwater defence network. Continued investment in innovation and collaboration with industry partners will be essential to maintaining a strategic advantage in this critical domain. the success of Cabot could also serve as a model for other navies facing similar challenges in an increasingly contested underwater environment.