The German company Gabler Naval, which specializes in submarine and surface ship technologies, and another German defense technology company Flanq have completed the Sea Acceptance Test of a Torpedo-Tube-Launched Uncrewed Surface Vessel (TTL USV) capability demonstrator called the Ranger. This is stated in a press release by Gabler Naval.
The USV can be launched from standard 21-inch submarine torpedo tube. During the tests, which continued in June of this year, the companies confirmed the operation of the key technologies of the Ranger TTL USV. Ultimately, the development is moving towards providing operational capabilities for for future end users.
Read more: Canada Picks German TKMS Type 212CD Over South Korea's Second Submarine Tender Loss in 12 Months, $12B Deal, $70B With 50-Year Lifecycle
The company emphasizes that marine autonomous systems such as the Ranger "are seen as cornerstone of future hybrid naval operations". Accordin to Gabler Naval "the ability to rapidly deploy uncrewed, attritable systems from exquisite platforms such as submarines and ships significantly expands operational flexibility, reduces risk to personnel and enables entirely new mission concepts for intelligence, surveillance, force protection and other maritime defence applications." As could be seen, for Germany, such drones could be useful in a possible confrontation with russia.
Recall that the Ranger drone was first introduced in September last year. In addition to creating a reconnaissance platform, there are also plans for a Raider strike drone, which will also be launched from torpedo tubes.
Although it is currently stated that "a one-way-attack variant, Strike, will also be available". It remains unknown whether this means that the Ranger reconnaissance TTL USV will receive a strike version under that name, which will exist in parallel with the Raider, or whether the latter option has simply been abandoned.
Not many details are known about the Ranger TTL USV. It is 4.5 m long and is equipped with an electric power plant. The USV features a folding keel and sensor mast, electric drivetrain and a mission-configurable payload bay.
Such reconnaissance USVs can really be helpful for submarines, as they can significantly expand the situational awareness of the submarine crew.
Earlier, Defense Express reported that Germany armed itself with BlueWhale unmanned submarines against russia in the Baltic Sea
Read more: After F126 Fiasco, Germany Is Taking No Chances: How F128 Frigate Programme Is Being Kept on Track
