Russia is developing a torpedo-carrying optionally-manned submarine hunter, TASS revealed, citing a source.
The naval vessel can operate autonomously, with a crew on board, and through remote operators from a coastal center or from aboard another ship, the outlet added.
“Work is currently underway at the design firm’s own initiative to develop an unmanned craft designated to hunt down and eliminate adversary submarines in autonomous mode,” the outlet quoted the source.
“After spotting an enemy submarine, the robotic system will on its own identify the target and make a decision on launching a torpedo.”
Arctic Version
The 14-meter (46 feet) unmanned vessel will be equipped with two 533mm multi-purpose electric torpedoes and will be able to sail at over 35 knots for three days without refueling.
Developers are planning two versions of the vessel to operate in normal waters and the Arctic, with the latter having “a reinforced hull for navigating through broken ice.”
Other Unmanned Naval Platforms
“Several robotic torpedo-carrying vessels will make it possible to promptly deploy a temporary anti-submarine frontier in the area of combat patrols by a naval task force without engaging basic anti-submarine forces or to reinforce defense at the fleet’s naval bases,” the source told the outlet.
Once built, the ship will be the first unmanned surface vessel in the Russian Navy, which has been developing a range of unmanned underwater platforms such as minesweepers and torpedoes.
The navy is also reportedly re-designing the ships they are developing to accommodate a range of unmanned flying vehicles.
