A company based in Israel has developed an autonomous underwater vehicle that can reportedly perform anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations and conduct mine countermeasures (MCM).
The BlueWhale System created by IAI ELTA can discretely gather intelligence in the open seas and in challenging littoral waters, its developers noted, detecting and tracking both subsurface and surface targets, processing data on board to offer real-time actionable intelligence.
Source: ELTA Systems
The underwater robot can detect and track multiple targets using BlueWhale’s onboard sensor array and the device can be transported by land, air and sea, easily fitting within a standard 40-foot shipping container.
“From operating as a submarine forward scout to supporting special forces with covert underwater missions of surveillance and reconnaissance, BlueWhale is equipped with an intelligent onboard controller that manages sensors, communications, and power resources efficiently,” explained the company in a statement.
During trials, the vessel carried extensive payloads for naval missions of intelligence and tactical operations. Likewise, it demonstrated the ability to discreetly track and gather intelligence, ensuring an advantage in the undersea battlespace, its developers added.
For more information on the underwater vessel, watch the accompanying video that appears courtesy of IAI ELTA.
