Raytheon demos new submarine-launched UAV

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And clever thinking. #

Posted Monday 27th October 2008 20:07 GMT

Yes, you could launch a canister from a torpedo tube, but I'm betting the waste disposal is a lot quieter. And a lot less likely to be heard as a declaration of war.

Anonymous Coward

Flying submarine? Not quite #

Posted Monday 27th October 2008 20:07 GMT

but nice try

kain preacher

UAV #

Posted Monday 27th October 2008 22:42 GMT

Silly me. I thought UAV meant Unmanned aerial vehicle.

Frank Gerlach

Is this New ? #

Posted Monday 27th October 2008 22:42 GMT

IIRC the US Navy does have those Cruise Missile planes in their torpedo launcher tubes for quite a few years now. Replacing that nuclear or chemical explosive payload by a decent camera would probably not be too difficult a job, right ?

Considering their long range (probably 1000km or so) and big payload (probably more than 100kg), THAT would actually be a powerful recce or ELINT/COMINT platform. Also, their terrain contour matching navigation system is also pretty nifty.

Taking all those facts into account makes me feel that the US Navy (and maybe the Tommies also) already have such gear, they are just not announcing it. The system discussed in this article is probably only more economical - a cruise missile is said to be 1 million US$ per piece. A recovery system (parachute and CO2 floating device) could make the cruise missile viable, though.

Francis Boyle