German defence technology company Helsing recently introduced a new series of maritime security autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) optimised for mass production.
Helsing said the small, glider-type AUV will be able to conduct patrols for up to three months at a time in search of underwater threats.
The company added that the AUV will be robust and discreet, making it suitable for underwater surveillance. It will have the ability to steadily move through the water column, monitoring for threats even at significant depths.
Hundreds of AUVs can be deployed for each mission, operating with Helsing's proprietary software platform and advanced AI system to autonomously detect, classify, and report threats at scale and in near real time.
Helsing said the combined system will create a network of mobile sensors across any body of water, similar to how orbiting satellites operate.
A single operator can task and monitor hundreds of AUVs from a maritime headquarters. Helsing said the operator can receive accurate intelligence at 10 per cent of the cost of a crewed anti-submarine warfare patrol.
The AUV and the software can be rapidly deployed – as a contracted service or operated by navies themselves – in areas of strategic importance.