U.S Navy to Launch A Drone From A Submarine

[Don Jaguar]

The start of a new trend in drone warfare, the Navy is going to launch a version of the Army’s Switchblade kamikaze UAV from a submarine during its annual RIMPAC exercise next year.

Basically, a Switchblade will be fired out of a sub’s, wait for it, trash disposal chute at periscope depth whiile encased in a Raytheon-made canister called the Submarine Launch Vehicle (SLV). The SLV gets the little UAV to the ocean’s surface where the drone fires itself into the air and voila.

Per Aviation Week:

The SLV and electric-powered UAV are stored on board as an all-up round. Ejected from the submerged submarine’s trash disposal unit, the SLV is weighted to descend to a safe distance from the boat, then shed the weight and inflate a float collar.

The collar is pulsed to control the rate of ascent. As it approaches the surface, the SLV deploys a water drogue to provide stabilization and a vane to align it into the wind. The tube then pivots to a 35-degree angle and ejects the folding-wing UAV.​

Remember, the Army recently bought $4.9 million worth of the tiny drones that can be carried in a container — that doubles as it’s launch tube — on a soldiers backpack . When he needs it, a soldier can launch the Switchblade and use it to spy on a target before directing the UAV to swoop in and explode on said target.

I’m curious to know how the Navy controls the tiny UAVs without signals from its subs being detected.

http://defensetech.org/2011/12/23/navy-to-launch-a-drone-from-a-submarine/

 

[illuminatidinesh]

The Japs did this in WW2 but a small aeroplane stored in water tight hanger in deck

 

[PERSIAN GOD KING]

Let me guess, this is how they are suppose to a new way of spying on Iran?
Iran will take the sub and the drone next time.

 

[Donatello]

Nice. Something new to give to the Iranians.

BTW, looks like a stupid method. If the other ships/Subs are around, they can hear the drone being launched and/or use visual cues and hence track the submarine!

 

[Oldman1]

Let me guess, this is how they are suppose to a new way of spying on Iran?
Iran will take the sub and the drone next time.

It can be against anybody besides Iran. You should be more defensive for China.

---------- Post added at 09:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:14 AM ----------

Nice. Something new to give to the Iranians.

BTW, looks like a stupid method. If the other ships/Subs are around, they can hear the drone being launched and/or use visual cues and hence track the submarine!

Well then there is no point installing Tomahawks or ballistic missiles then eh? I'm sure the Navy will think of something to counter a possible threat.

 

[Donatello]

It can be against anybody besides Iran. You should be more defensive for China.

---------- Post added at 09:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:14 AM ----------



Well then there is no point installing Tomahawks or ballistic missiles then eh? I'm sure the Navy will think of something to counter a possible threat.

Ballistic Missiles/Tomahawks are not deployed unless absolutely necessary. And yes they are any submarine's nightmare as well as Torpedo launched. Sound of air being displaced by water, missile silos opening, etc can all be detected by passive sonar. But this is a compromise you have to make, when submarine has to deliver the punch.

It case of drones....which are not a necessity, this can mean a sub being hunted and located by the enemy's observing assets. If a P3 Orion can pick up the noise of Submarine propellers from the air, imagine the amount of damage a drone launched from underwater would cause, to a submarine's stealth.

I am sorry, but your analogy is flawed. .....but then, you're an old man.

 

[PERSIAN GOD KING]

OLDMAN1, whats china got to do with this?