>http://www.engadget.com/2016/05/19/the-navy-is-arming-its-submarines-with-blackwing-spy-drones/
>The Navy recently announced its plans to deploy an armada of stealthy spy drones from AeroVironment aboard its submarines and UUVs. Specifically, the Navy is going with the small-form "Blackwing" UAV, a four-pound flyer with a 20 inch wingspan that collapses down to fit into a 3-inch diameter launch tube. It will use its array of electro-optical and infrared sensors as well as its anti-spoofing GPS capability to act as the submersible's remote eyes and ears.
Neat. I wonder what it's range and capabilities are.
>>30008214
How do we get them back after deployment? Are they recoverable? Or is it $40 million down the tube everytime a sub captain wants to take a look around up top?
>>30008214
That's gay.
We need mini sub drones that launch from the torpedo tubes that then launch their own little mini drones from tiny ICBM like missile tubes
>>30008294
I figure they're probably disposable and "cheap" with off the shelf hardware for the most part when they inevitably wash up on China's fancy new airstrips they're building in the SCS.
>>30008315
Why not make them double as missiles?
>>30008312
Underrated.
Can't imagine that'd be very useful
You'd have to surface or near surface to launch and communicate
Unless you use a floating wire antenna, but not only are those usually ELF, but you have to be reasonably shallow for them as well
A submarine on the surface is a dead submarine
<<Scinfaxi launching carrier jets!>>
>>30008445
Because they already have missiles?
>>30008482
They're probably filling some very niche role. How they're guided/communicate isn't known so we don't really know how they're planning to be used. My guess is somewhere in the South China Sea.
>>30008214
I-400-class submarine in 21st century!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I-400-class_submarine
They were submarine aircraft carriers able to carry three Aichi M6A Seiran aircraft underwater to their destinations.
>>30008482
Use Li-Fi with a buoy relay, maybe?
>>30008598
That would be one awesome platform type for STOVL aircraft like the F-35B and V-22.
>>30008214
already have them. They are called tomahawk cruise missiles.
Not being a dick, just informing for most who dont know:
Most modern missiles have two way datalinks, ability to maneuver, ability to abort, sensors, etc.
they are drones. just very purpose built drones. A cruise missile can linger though, and has a turbojet engine (usually), making it in effect, a proper "drone" as the public would recognize one.
Shit, you can even get video observation from some models.
>>30009131
This new one is probably much cheaper than a tomahawk and is purpose built for observation and loiter.
