TEL AVIV. The Bundeswehr Navy has announced that it has conducted a two-week intensive test-phase trial with the BlueWhale autonomous underwater vehicle as part of its Operational Experimentation (OPEX).
Together with Israel Aerospace Industries, a world-class aerospace and defense leader, and Germany’s ATLAS Elektronik, the BlueWhale state-of-the-art autonomous underwater vehicle was tested according to the specifications of both the Navy and the Bundeswehr Technical Centre for Ships and Naval Weapons (WTD 71) in one of the most challenging and complex areas of operation of the German Navy – the Baltic Sea. NATO’s Centre of Excellence for Operations enabled the experimental connection of the Blue Whale into the Navy’s situational picture.
The Navy launched OPEX, a groundbreaking initiative to pave the way toward its ‘Marine 2035 and Beyond’ plan. In so doing, it has signaled its determination to actively address both current and future security-relevant threat situations. OPEX is the German Navy’s ‘toolbox’ for promoting innovation and for testing new approaches and technologies quickly and comprehensively under conditions that are as realistic as possible.
BlueWhale is a large uncrewed underwater vehicle 10.9 metres long, with a diameter of 1.12 metres and weighing 5.5 tons. It performs covert intelligence-gathering above the sea surface, can detect submarines and underwater targets, gather acoustic intelligence, and search for and detect naval mines on the seabed. The autonomous submarine can perform a significant portion of a crewed submarine’s operations for several weeks at minimal cost and maintenance and without risking operators.
IAI’s President and CEO, Boaz Levy commented, “We are facing a new era in which submarines will change the situational picture and operational capabilities like the changes brought about by unmanned aircraft in the past. An autonomous submarine can perform a significant portion of the tasks of a manned submarine, without the need for operators on board, for up to several weeks.”
“In addition to its intelligence-gathering capabilities, the BlueWhale system excels in detecting other submarines and covertly mapping mines on the seabed, using its advanced sonar systems, and is an important part of IAI’s range of maritime solutions, which include the protection of Economic Exclusion Zones, defensive and offensive system suites for marine vessels, and the management of the arena in which autonomous vessels are operating,” he added.
Boaz Levy stated, “The current joint trials are a direct continuation of the deep security relationship with Germany, reflected in the recent “Arrow” missile air-defence-system deal, and through other activities that promote the security of both Israel and Germany.”
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is a world-class aerospace and defence company innovating and delivering state-of-the-art technologies in space, air, land, naval, cyber and homeland security for defence and commercial markets.
Combining Israel’s “Start-up Nation” spirit of innovation with decades of combat-proven experience, IAI provides customers with tailor-made, cutting-edge solutions to the unique challenges they face including satellites, UAVs, missiles, intelligence solutions, weapon systems, air defence systems, robotic systems, radars, business jets, aerostructures, and more.
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