Ukrainian Navy Reveals Unknown Underwater Drone (UUV)
When President Zelensky visited Odesa recently, the Ukrainian Navy (VMS-ZSU) presented him with a range of interesting and, in several cases previously unconfirmed, pieces of kit. These included Harpoon missiles in a disguised launcher, Norwegian NSM missiles and Swedish RBS-15 missiles. Those systems have understandably been getting a lot of attention. Yet sitting next to a couple of Seawolf surface drones (USVs) was something completely unreported. A new type of underwater drone (UUV – uncrewed underwater vehicle).
The new UUV is approximately the size of a heavyweight torpedo, being 6-7 meters long and about half a meter across. Standard heavyweight torpedoes are a similar length and 0.533mm (21 inches) across. While it is unlikely that it is exactly that diameter, there’d be no reason to, the overall comparison sticks.
The drone clearly isn’t designed for torpedo tubes however. It has two large, fixed fins along the top which appear to be for antenna, and large fixed hydroplanes at the stern. The body is made up of four tubular sections which appear to be of equal length, plus a rounded nosecone and tail section.
The propeller is quite small and mounted low on the stern in an arrangement which suggests only decent speed. The screw is overall similar to Iranian weaponised drones which perform well.
The name and role of the new UUV hasn’t been revealed, but the inference is that it can be used to attack ports and anchorages, or other fixed targets at sea, and conduct intelligence missions.
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