Navy deploying small UAVs on subs

The Navy will deploy small, tube-launched UAVs on submarines and unmanned underwater vehicles.

The UAV will be Aerovironment's BlackwingTM, which will be launched from underwater.

"Blackwing employs an advanced, miniature electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) payload, Selective Availability Anti-spoofing Module (SASSM) GPS and AeroVironment's secure Digital Data Link (DDL), all packaged into a vehicle that launches from manned and unmanned submarines," according to an AeroVironment announcement.

Keep up with the latest developments in unmanned systems at the C4ISR & Networks Conference, May 26 in Arlington, Virginia. Go here for more information and to register.

AeroVironment developed the BlackwingTM as part of a 2013 Navy and United States Special Operations Command Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) called Advanced Weapons Enhanced by Submarine UAS against Mobile targets (AWESUM). That project was completed last September.

In addition to operating from undersea vehicles, Blackwing can also be integrated with and deployed from a wide variety of surface vessels and mobile ground vehicles to provide rapid response reconnaissance capabilities that help our customers operate more safely and effectively," said AeroVironment vice president Kirk Flittie.

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