DSEI 2025: SG-1 Fathom Underwater Glider Enhances Undersea Surveillance with Extended Autonomy.

At the DSEI 2025 exhibition in London, Helsing unveiled the SG-1 Fathom, an autonomous underwater glider designed to strengthen surveillance and protection of strategic maritime areas. The presentation, held at HM Naval Base Portsmouth, highlighted the operational features of this system, which combines endurance, autonomy, and the integration of artificial intelligence.
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From an operational perspective, the SG-1 Fathom offers an alternative to anti-submarine warfare missions traditionally carried out by manned patrol aircraft (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The SG-1 Fathom is notable for its ability to patrol underwater for up to three months without interruption. Designed to operate in conjunction with the Lura software platform, it contributes to the creation of a mobile constellation of underwater sensors. This system follows a model inspired by surveillance satellites, but adapted to the maritime environment. Each glider transmits its data in near real time, enabling continuous monitoring of potential threats and the early detection of submarines or hostile vessels.

From an operational perspective, the SG-1 Fathom offers an alternative to anti-submarine warfare missions traditionally carried out by manned patrol aircraft. According to Helsing, this method of surveillance represents about 10 percent of the cost of conventional approaches, while expanding the coverage area. The deployment of the SG-1 reinforces maritime presence in sensitive regions such as the North Sea, the Baltic, and the Atlantic, without requiring large human resources. Its ability to operate persistently, discreetly, and autonomously makes it suitable for continuous detection scenarios, particularly in areas surrounding critical infrastructure or vital maritime transit zones.

Each unit can be deployed individually or integrated into a fleet of gliders to create a wider network. This network can be managed from a maritime command center by a single operator, significantly reducing manpower requirements and simplifying operational control. Feedback from each mission is integrated into the system, allowing for progressive performance improvements and rapid adaptation to evolving threats.

Beyond detection, the SG-1 Fathom provides a role in strategic surveillance as a complement to conventional naval forces. In a context of increasing tensions in European and global waters, it serves as a tool for protecting maritime approaches and establishing deterrence through greater visibility of undersea environments.

Helsing, through the presentation of the SG-1 Fathom, introduces an underwater glider that reflects the shift in surveillance methods toward autonomous and persistent solutions. The manufacturer emphasizes its intent to offer an exportable capability, adaptable to both national force integration and international cooperation. The spread of such gliders highlights a broader trend in which the protection of undersea spaces is becoming a central issue, requiring technologies capable of ensuring continuous presence at lower cost.