The Office of Naval Research (ONR) has announced that it has awarded a nearly $3.7 million contract to SubUAS to develop and demonstrate the launch and recovery capabilities of the Naviator from a UUV (using a UUV substitute). The contract, which was awarded on Nov. 8, covers the development and demonstration of the Subsurface Autonomous Delivery Navigator (SAND) system, resulting in the launch and recovery of the Naviator “without a human in the loop.”
The Naviator, which resembles a typical quadcopter drone, is specifically designed to be able to maneuver underwater, as well as fly and transition seamlessly from one medium to another. The unmanned aerial system and SubUAS are described as scalable, with a wingspan of 16 feet and a payload of 0 to 90+ pounds, optimized for a variety of sensors, cameras, and other payloads. Naviator is faster to deploy and remotely operated than existing submarines and capable of reaching its target faster via flight. It offers longer integrated mission capabilities than similarly sized drones, using precise GPS and visual position retention, as well as an energy-saving buoy sentinel mode. The platform can easily surface, send data, receive new instructions, and start a new mission. Naviator is capable of operating wirelessly with remote pilot control and conducting autonomous missions. Smaller versions of the drone can be used in swarms. The Naviator types are capable of underwater speeds of up to 3.5 knots, and potentially reaching up to 10 knots depending on their size and configuration. It is also capable of flying in its aerial mode.
The SAND system is expected to have various applications, including mine location and inspection, enemy ship deployment observation, bridge and dock inspection, ship hull and oil drilling platform inspection, and search and rescue missions. It could assist naval operations by checking ship hulls and coastal infrastructure below the waterline for evidence of laid mines or other signs of hostile infiltration. The Naviator can also be used for search and rescue missions, locating missing swimmers and sailors, and examining wreckage upon detection.
The Navy’s interest in this type of capability is driven by the need to address the threat of mines, which is seen as a significant problem for the Navy. The SAND system aligns with the Navy’s mission to develop capabilities that can quickly investigate potential threats, such as mines, and contribute to protecting friendly forces through the identification of threats and surveillance of coastal infrastructure.
The UUV’s ability to launch and recover aerial drones without the need for direct and immediate human involvement opens up additional possibilities and offers additional operational flexibility. For example, a swarm of Naviators could scan a wider area around the UUV for threats and do so relatively quickly. The Naviator’s highly autonomous capabilities would also be critical to remaining undetected and not needing to communicate with the launch pad for much of its flight.
The contract awarded to SubUAS to develop and demonstrate the SAND system is an indication of the Navy’s efforts to advance its unmanned systems capabilities. The SAND system aligns with the type of capabilities that the Navy is promoting in the short term to enhance its operational readiness and address complex and emerging threats.
Overall, the announcement of the ONR contract with SubUAS to develop and demonstrate the SAND system is a significant step forward in advancing the Navy’s capabilities in unmanned systems, and it underscores the importance of autonomous and versatile unmanned systems in addressing critical national security challenges. As the development and demonstration of the SAND system progresses, it will be crucial for the Navy to continue advancing its unmanned systems capabilities to meet evolving operational requirements and future challenges.
