Stingray is an autonomous underwater drone that can wait for months at the bottom and turn on on command

Not just a drone, but an underwater ambush

The Stingray is not just another underwater vehicle that just floats and shoots. It is an autonomous machine designed to penetrate into hard-to-reach areas, anchor at the bottom and wait. To wait for weeks or even months in complete silence, without emitting a sound. And only on command — come to life, turn on the sonar, start reconnaissance or attack the target.

These drones are changing the rules of the game underwater.

What can he do — from intelligence to cable protection

The Stingray is positioned as a barrage autonomous underwater vehicle (ANPA) capable of operating at great depths. Its main tasks are:

• Conducting exploration in difficult waters
• Detection and tracking of submarines (PLO)
• Bottom mapping
• Protection of underwater infrastructures — cables, platforms, pipelines

It can carry up to 15 kg of payload, and modular — that is, the necessary sensors are installed for a specific mission: sonar, radar systems, or even weapons. This makes it universal.

How to launch and how to charge

You can launch Stingray from different platforms: from patrol boats, submarines, special vessels such as "Scan" or even from the shore. But the most interesting thing is the dock. Imagine an underwater "base" at the bottom, where the drone can return to recharge or transmit data.

The device is equipped with the possibility of underwater charging, and the standard battery lasts for 24 hours. With the additional module, the autonomy time increases. And in the "silent standby" mode, it consumes a minimum of energy, saving the charge until the right moment.

Why is this important for the Navy

Now more and more attention is being paid to underwater safety, especially after incidents involving damage to telecommunications cables. The fleet does not have enough resources to patrol all dangerous areas around the clock. And the Stingray can just lie on the bottom like a mine, but it's smart — and turn on only when it's needed.

It's not just about saving energy. This is a new level of control underwater.

Sources

1. Hi-Tech Mail.ru — testing the autonomous MQ-25 Stingray tanker
2. TenChat — Stingray underwater robot used on salmon farms
3. Korabel.ru — ANPA Stingray specs and mission profile
4. Oceanology — autonomous navigation and underwater robotics
5. RoboTrends — catalog of underwater robots including Stingray
6. Oceanos.ru — underwater gliders overview
7. 7ft.ru — discussion on Stingray-class vehicles
8. Korabel.ru — fleet information on Stingray systems
9. VK post — community notes on Stingray applications

Frigate 054V: How China Builds the "Smart" Ship of the Future with Helicopter Z-20 and New Electronics

China is launching a new generation of frigates — and this is not just an upgrade, but a real breakthrough. The new frigate URO project 054V, which is currently being built at shipyards in Guangzhou and Shanghai, has become noticeably larger and more powerful than its predecessors. Its length is 147 meters, width is 17 meters, and full displacement is 5500–5600 tons. This is 1200 tons more than the frigates 054A, and this growth is not just for size, but for capabilities.

What Changed?

First, the helicopter. Thanks to the elongated hull, Chinese engineers increased the aviation hangar from 20 to 24 meters. Now it comfortably fits the anti-submarine helicopter Z-20 — an analog of the Russian Ka-27, but more modern. And to avoid hauling it by hand, the ship is equipped with a special mechanical device that carefully rolls the helicopter onto the deck and back into the hangar. Convenient, fast, and safe.

Second, the power plant. Frigate 054V uses a hybrid power scheme: two gas turbine engines QC-280 (totaling 66,000 hp) and two diesels. But the key is that they do not drive the shaft directly, but act as generators, powering electric motors that then rotate the propellers. This is called electric drive — a technology that the USA and the UK have been using for a long time.

Why is this cool?

— Space savings: up to 65% of the volume of engine rooms is freed up because bulky reducers and shafts are not needed.

— Quieter: at a speed of 15–20 knots (ideal for anti-submarine defense) the ship becomes much quieter — meaning it is harder to detect.

— More fuel: the freed-up space was allocated for additional fuel tanks.

The result is that at a speed of 15 knots, the frigate can travel up to 7500 miles, and at 18 knots — 6500 miles. That's almost 14,000 km without refueling. For comparison: the distance from Shanghai to San Francisco is about 10,000 km.

Armament: From Gun to ASW

On the bow is a 100-mm artillery mount. Why not 76 mm and not 130 mm? The Chinese calculated: 76-mm shells are too weak, and a 130-mm turret is too bulky. 100 mm is the golden mean.

Air defense is three-tiered:

- "Sea Red Banner-10" — short-range SAM (22 missiles),

- Type 1130 — a six-barrelled gun-carriage,

- And a vertical launch system (VLS) with 32 containers, divided into three sections:

  1. 8 TPC — for 48–56 SAM of short/medium range (up to 40 km),

  2. 16 TPC — for HQ-16FE (up to 100 km), with active radar homing that sees an aircraft at 30 km and a missile at 15 km,

  3. 8 TPC — for ASW missiles "Fish-8" or "Fish-11".

For combating ships — 8 supersonic ASM YJ-12, in two launchers with 4 missiles each. Subsonic YJ-83, according to Chinese experts, are already "obsolete".

"Eyes" of the Ship: New Generation Radars

The main radar is H/LJQ-368, a 3D station with an active phased array antenna (APAA). It is a replacement for the old H/LJQ-382 and is made using gallium nitride technology. It has 3000 transceivers at 50 W each — a total power of 150 kW.

What it sees:

- Bomber — at 350 km,

- Fighter — at 200 km,

- Missile — at 50 km.

It can simultaneously track up to 100 targets and engage 18 of them — twice as many as before.

Below it are X-band radars that pick up low-flying targets and ships at a distance of up to 40 km. And fixed L-band antennas likely help guide the 100-mm gun.

China plans that by 2030–2040, there will be no less than 50 URO frigates in the combat strength of the PLAN. Project 054V is not the end, but a test platform: Chinese engineers will collect data for 10 years to build frigates of the next generation already in the 2030s on this basis.

Interestingly, Chinese analysts separately highlight the Russian "Admiral Gorshkov" (project 22350). With a displacement of 4500 tons, it is "packed to the gills," but does not leave room for modernization. While 054V has a margin of strength and space, which is critical for the future.

The Austrian company Schiebel has introduced an improved rotary-wing UAV S-300 with anti-submarine capabilities

At the Paris Air Show 2025, the Austrian company Schiebel demonstrated a new enhanced configuration of its unmanned aerial vehicle with an S-300 rotary-wing engine. The platform is now equipped with an L3HARRIS WESCAM MX-10 turret, an IMSAR NSP-3 radar, an additional optical system in the bow, and an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) sonar buoy. These innovations transform the S-300 from a traditional reconnaissance vehicle into a full-fledged system of multi-domain maritime surveillance and underwater warfare.

Technical features and capabilities

- The L3HARRIS WESCAM MX-10 turret provides high-quality electrostatic and infrared imaging, improving surveillance and targeting capabilities.

- The IMSAR NSP-3 radar with multifunctional operating modes (SAR, MTI, CCD) allows for effective detection and tracking of marine and ground targets in all weather conditions.

- A secondary optical system in the bow expands the range of reconnaissance capabilities and improves navigation accuracy.

- The ASW hydroacoustic buoy allows you to perform tasks of detecting and classifying submarines, which previously was the prerogative of only manned helicopters and large offshore platforms.

The extended payload and versatility of the S-300 make it a unique tool for maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare, especially for small naval forces that do not have the resources to operate manned ASW helicopters. The compactness and the possibility of vertical takeoff and landing make it possible to use UAVs from ships of small and medium tonnage without the need for an airfield.

With the new equipment, the S-300 meets the growing demand for multifunctional, cost-effective and efficient means of monitoring and combating underwater threats in the context of the escalating geopolitical situation in offshore areas such as the Baltic and Red Seas. The integration of advanced American and European sensors also ensures compatibility with NATO systems.

IAI ELTA introduces the revolutionary BlueWhale™ Underwater drone for Maritime Safety

BlueWhale™

The Israeli company IAI ELTA presented an innovative large-sized underwater unmanned vehicle BlueWhale™, designed to solve a wide range of tasks related to the protection of maritime borders. This device, which has been successfully tested as part of the German Navy, has high autonomy, low radio acoustic visibility and the ability to dive to a depth of 300 meters, which makes it one of the most advanced LDUUV (Large Displacement Unmanned Underwater Vehicles) in the world.

BlueWhave™ is designed to perform key defense and intelligence tasks:

- Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)  

- Intelligence and Surveillance (ISR)  

- Mine Control (MCM)  

- Acoustic Intelligence (ACINT) 

- Detection of piracy, terrorism and illegal migration

A special feature of the system is the use of advanced technologies from the German company ATLAS ELEKTRONIK, including towed and flanking sonars, which ensure effective detection of both submarines and surface ships at considerable distances. To combat the mine threat, the device is equipped with synthetic aperture systems (SAS) and  magnetic sensors, which allow not only to detect, but also to classify mines, as well as create detailed maps of the seabed.

Installed on the extendable mast of the device:

- All-round radar,  

- Electro-optical and infrared sensors,  

- Electronic Intelligence System (R-ESM),  

- satellite communication, providing real-time data transmission.

This allows BlueWhale™ to operate autonomously for a long time, while remaining fully integrated into the overall command and control system.

Saildrone and Thales Australia have successfully tested a long-range surveillance system

Saildrone

Saildrone successfully and autonomously maintained a towed array capable of performing long-range surveillance, reconnaissance and reconnaissance (ISR) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions, with the ability to detect and classify both underwater vehicles and surface vessels in real time.                

Thales Australia's thin-line towed BlueSentry sonar array has been successfully integrated into Saildrone's Surveyor-class unmanned surface vehicle (USV), demonstrating exceptional performance during a multi-week mission conducted off the coast of the United States.       

The successful test, funded by the U.S. Office of Naval Research, was a step forward in partnership with AUKUS that could enhance the national security of Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.             

During an uninterrupted 26-day mission off the coast of California, the system identified and tracked vessels of interest in real time for further investigation by maritime security partners. The system has shown particularly good results in maintaining continuous surveillance in areas with heavy traffic, where traditional maritime security facilities are depleted and face significant operational challenges.              

The system has demonstrated the ability to detect and track surface vessels, submarines, and unmanned aerial vehicles.              

These capabilities, which can be effective in remote waters off the coast of Australia, can also meet the AUKUS Pillar 2's underwater warfare needs.                    

Saildrone's Surveyor series is an autonomous solution for monitoring the marine environment over long distances, using wind and solar energy, as well as equipped with advanced communication technologies and high—performance sensors.              

Thales Australia's BlueSentry thin—line towed antenna array is a next-generation sonar payload designed and manufactured to increase awareness of anti-submarine warfare and the marine environment. It uses world-class acoustic sensor technology for active and passive applications, as well as advanced signal processing, recording and reporting capabilities.                  

All BlueSentry components, from array to data processing, are designed, manufactured and integrated at Thales Australia's plant in Rydalmere, Western Sydney.

Saildrone and Thales Australia are ready to deploy these systems at scale, creating a network of autonomous, self-sustaining surveillance assets to enhance national security. As threats evolve and demand for ongoing underwater awareness increases, Saildrone-Thales offers a scalable and low-cost alternative to traditional surveillance platforms.