German Navy tests autonomous BlueWhale submarine for Anti-Submarine Warfare.

According to information published by Dorothee Frank on October 9, 2024, the German Navy is expanding its use of unmanned systems beyond aerial dimensions, now focusing on autonomous solutions for anti-submarine warfare (ASW).
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Israeli built BlueWhale Unmanned Underwater Vehicle. (Picture source: Israel Aerospace Industries)

Currently, the BlueWhale, an autonomous submarine system (ASS) developed by Israeli company Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), is undergoing trials near Eckernförde. These tests are scheduled to continue through November, according to sources from CPM Defence Network.

Given the growing underwater capabilities of Russia, the BlueWhale could serve as a force multiplier, enhancing Germany’s naval defense capacity. Preliminary results from the ongoing tests, conducted in cooperation with the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), have been described as highly promising.

About the BlueWhale

The drone is designed for a range of missions, primarily focused on covert intelligence gathering, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and mine countermeasures (MCM). First revealed in 2023, this unmanned submarine is 10.9 meters long, weighs 5.5 tons, and can operate autonomously for up to 30 days at depths of 300 meters, making it highly suited for prolonged underwater operations.

Equipped with advanced sensors like synthetic aperture sonar for mine detection and a bi-static towed array sonar for submarine tracking, the BlueWhale excels in detecting underwater threats while remaining difficult to detect itself. The submarine features a telescopic mast, similar to those found on manned submarines, which houses radar and electro-optical systems for surface and coastal surveillance. This mast also supports satellite communications, enabling real-time data transmission to command centers located onshore or at sea.

A critical advantage of the BlueWhale is its ability to perform tasks typically handled by manned submarines, but at a lower cost and without direct human involvement. It can gather acoustic intelligence, detect submarines, and search for naval mines over extended periods, reducing the need for crewed missions in high-risk areas. Its advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems process and analyze data onboard, allowing it to operate semi-independently and relay actionable intelligence in real time.

In recent NATO exercises like Dynamic Messenger 2023, the BlueWhale demonstrated its capabilities by participating in coordinated naval operations.