Autonomous Ocean Drone

Tides change quickly. The Autonomous Ocean Drone change quicker still. This large uncrewed underwater vehicle (LUUV) from Saab inherits a legacy of more than a century of submarine and underwater excellence. An intelligent design from intelligence experts, the Autonomous Ocean Drone goes beyond evolution. Modularity and rapid adaptability are at the core of the build – meaning it not only excels at the jobs of today, it will be the first to undertake the tasks of tomorrow. Discover more below. 

Assess. Adapt. Advance.

Sea-bed warfare is an integral aspect of today’s conflicts. But it remains only a part of the evolving underwater threat. Protecting a nation’s sovereignty, exclusive economic zones (EEZs) and critical national infrastructure (CNI) requires a defence that can reach further, operate longer and adapt faster than the adversaries ranged against it. Saab has a well-established track record of pushing the limits of underwater capabilities. Saab’s submarines have been built to sustain the challenges of the Baltic Sea, to operate long ranges without logistical support, and to incorporate rapid mid-life upgrades thanks to modular designs. Now, all of Saab’s experience, expertise and capabilities has been concentrated in the Autonomous Ocean Drone. 

Reconnaissance in relay

System of systems stealth and surveillance

Saab’s Autonomous Ocean Drone is capable of intelligence, stealth and reconnaissance (ISR) missions thanks to a suite of sophisticated intelligence-gathering systems, such as advanced sensors systems and object delivery on the seabed in key strategic locations. Saab’s drone can act in tandem with Saab submarines that come with a multi-mission portal (MMP), such as the Blekinge-class (A26) submarine. The submarine acts as an undetectable moveable launch platform, extending operational reach and allowing the Autonomous Ocean Drone to enter action with greater stealth and tactical consideration than from pier-side launches. Powered by Saab’s Autonomous Ocean Core, the unmatched synchronicity between the submarine, its crew and the drone means that the pairing can perform reconnaissance in relay, and the drone’s ability to act autonomously, and at great range, begins when it is silently launched into action. This system of systems cooperation between crewed and uncrewed vessels serves to extend the reach of an already extended reach. The drone can then return to its mothership for rapid retrieval and reconfiguration and preparation for its next mission.

Independent pier-side launches

Saab’s Autonomous Ocean Drone can simply be launched from the dock or a surface ship and perform missions without supervision. Capable of synchronising with other drones or water-borne vessels and serving as a “water wingman”, the drone can also be entrusted with independent missions without support, and navigate safely back to base after successfully completing a mission.

Unstinting, unflinching and unhesitating

Protecting our way of life is a duty that never ends, so an uncrewed, unsleeping and unrelenting guardian is necessary to maintain security. Saab’s Autonomous Ocean Drone has an enhanced ability to observe, analyse, act and control its environment. In order to form an accurate picture of the evolving threat, it is essential to secure a vantage point no crewed vessel could reach. Only then can intelligence that helps us understand what threats are posed against our freedoms. Leaving us better informed and better protected. Forewarned and forearmed. 

The autonomy powering Saab’s  Autonomous Ocean Drone 

Saab’s Autonomous Ocean Core, the AI that drives the Drone, is scalable and built to be used and expanded over the long term. Not only can it incorporate Saab’s technological advancements and developments, but those of third parties as well. Ensuring the autonomy in the Drone will meet the needs of today and tomorrow’s world.

Autonomous Ocean Core is well established and has multiple modes and applications for uncrewed vessels above and below the surface. The technology suite includes navigation systems, electronic warfare, advanced sensors systems and is capable of handling effectors such as torpedo launches. Saab’s Autonomous Ocean Core is a system-of-systems solution capable of synchronising with teams of crewed vessels for combined or autonomous action.

Autonomous Ocean Core also allows additional capabilities to be added without losing safety functions, for reliable vessel control. 

Missions

The versatility and capability of the Autonomous Ocean Drone enables the vehicle to perform missions and actions such as:

• Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions
• Installation of seabed ISR systems such as cables
• Object delivery on seabed
  • Special forces equipment
  • Power sources for ISR systems
• Autonomous navigation and mission execution
• Target classification through sensor AI
• Combat capabilities such as torpedo launches are currently marked as a future capability

The greatest adaptation advantage is a hundred-year head start 

The design of the Autonomous Ocean Drone is a direct development from Saab’s evolutionary submarines. Throughout Saab’s history, submarines have been designed with an eye to the future – to the next big development. That is why Saab terms its approach to be “evolutionary” and design choices such as modularity have been central to Saab’s submarine building. With modularity at the heart of the design, new technologies can quickly and efficiently be retrofitted to submarine designs, in order to retain that essential edge when operating in the most challenging environments on earth. Now – the design inherits a legacy of evolution and is even more modular, more configurable and more rapidly scalable than anything that has come before. 

A new phase of defence, a new theatre of operations, a new underwater asset, the same Saab assurance. A combination of cutting-edge technology, naval expertise and future-facing modularity give unparalleled ability to influence events/outperform adversaries now and years from now.