UK defence and security specialist SEA and French navigation provider iXblue unveiled a new autonomous submarine hunting system at the 2019 Defence and Security Equipment International exhibition (DSEI 2019) in London.
The SeaDrix autonous ASW surveillance system combines SEA’s KraitArray acoustic sensor with iXblue’s DriX USV. (SEA)
The 7.7×3 m system, called SeaDrix, combines SEA’s low-profile acoustic sensor KraitArray with iXblue’s unmanned surface vessel (USV) DriX to offer a solution that provides persistent autonomous long-endurance anti-submarine surveillance. According to SEA it can be deployed as a stand-alone asset or as part of a wider anti-submarine warfare (ASW) surveillance system.
Both KraitArray and DriX are proven in operation. DriX was launched in 2017 onto the civilian market and has already conducted successful operations ranging from subsea positioning to bathymetry missions. The USV features a hydrodynamic hull that enables stable seakeeping in up to Sea State 5 and high-speed transit capabilities up to 14 kt. It is equipped with a gondola attached with embedded-sensors that sits two metres below the surface of the vessel for data gathering in a calm environment.
SEA’s KraitArray thin-line passive towed array sonar is a small size, low-weight, thin-line (20 mm diameter) passive array that, due to its size, has proven popular particularly in the unmanned systems market. It consists of up to 150 m sections that can be tailored to meet mission requirements.
According to SEA, the integration of the two technologies will enable naval forces to complete surveillance missions without having to rely on military vessels and support teams being in the immediate area. This is of particular value in the current climate in which navies are facing a reduction in the number of specialised frigates and destroyers in their fleets.
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