ADEX 2024: Israeli Spear UAVs now in service on submarines

The encapsulated submarine-launched version of the Spear's Viper 750 surveillance UAV. (Spear)

The submarine-launched version of Spear's Viper 750 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has entered service, the Israeli company's executive vice-president for commercial told Janes at the Azerbaijan International Defence Exhibition 2024 (ADEX 2024) held in Baku from 24 to 26 September.

“I can say we are launching from submarines,” Colonel (Res) Yiftach Kleinman said, although he was not permitted to identify the customer due to the sensitivity of the programme.

Previously developed as the Ninox 103, the submarine-launched version of the Viper 750 disposable surveillance quadcopter is encapsulated so it can be launched covertly from a submerged submarine's 4 inch-diameter signal ejector, which is normally used for flares. Col Kleinman said Spear could adapt the system so it can be launched from standard 3 inch signal ejectors.

The capsule then floats on the water until it receives instructions from the operator, at which point it takes off to provide aerial surveillance. The submarine has to raise a mast with a communications antenna to control the UAV. Col Kleinman said the Viper 750's endurance had exceeded 50 minutes during operational activity.

“This is one of the biggest revolutions for submarines,” he said, noting how they previously had a very restricted view from their periscopes. “Now they are in the aerial dimension, our customers adore this capability, all of sudden they can see, now they can really gather intelligence.”