The U.S. Navy is by no means the only force which sees the incredible value undersea drones can provide commanders in terms of high-risk surveillance, clandestine targeting reconnaissance, countermine operations and of course unparalleled endurance.
Many of them can launch from missile tubes built into host-ship manned submarines beneath the surface and operate with less risk of detection in hostile waterways less approachable by submarines.
Robo-Shark Drone vs. U.S. Navy Undersea Drones
The Chinese Navy is now talking about its new “Robo-Shark” fish-like undersea drone able to operate with a low acoustic signature at high speeds for reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare.
“Replacing the traditional propeller, the Robo-Shark’s power source is the bionic tailfin, which can give it a top speed of six knots,” the Chinese Global Times Newspaper reports.
The report does say the Robo-Shark can conduct anti-submarine operations, however available photos do now show an armed drone able to do much more than some reconnaissance.
While little information regarding the Robo-Shark’s technical attributes are cited in the Global Times report, it may be unknown as to whether it can parallel any of the many U.S. Navy Unmanned Underwater Vessels now in development.
The of all sizes, to include small, mine-hunting drones and larger, submarine-like, torpedo armed drones.
A key measure of comparison, it would seem apparent, likely resides in the information flow capacity of the drones and the range and resolution of its sonar and undersea detection. Even extremely long-range and precise detection however, is of questionable value if it cannot become available until the drone returns to its host submarine.
