USV “Seetaube”: Bundeswehr takes over its first autonomous surface vehicle from Stark

The Cyber and Information Domain Service (CIR) of the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) has taken over the first autonomous unmanned surface vehicle (USV) from Stark. The six-metre vehicle was christened “Seetaube”; its technical basis is the Vanta platform.

The USV is initially being tested for maritime reconnaissance. Behind the project is the Bundeswehr’s Cyber Innovation Hub, which is implementing it as an innovation project together with the Zentrum Digitalisierung der Bundeswehr (Bundeswehr digitalisation centre). Training of the operating personnel and further trials at sea are scheduled for the coming months.

Highly automated reconnaissance: the USV in operation

The Seetaube carries sensors, cameras and radar. Within defined parameters, the system navigates independently on the basis of pre-planned missions and operates in a highly automated manner. The mission is monitored by an operator who can intervene at any time.

What the sensors capture is transmitted via a secure link to the operator terminal, where it is immediately available for a situational picture. In addition, the vehicle is to serve as an additional direction-finding base and help Bundeswehr ships and boats locate signals at sea precisely.

The Bundeswehr sees the Seetaube as a response to the increasingly complex security situation in the maritime domain. It is intended to detect suspicious activity at an early stage and to provide reconnaissance data faster and more precisely.

The Vanta family was developed for reconnaissance and strike in coastal waters and for protecting ports and critical maritime infrastructure. The platform reaches more than 45 knots, and its payload can be up to 500 kilograms.

Stark has already demonstrated that the tube-launched loitering munition Cascade can be launched from a Vanta platform. Depending on the configuration, the vehicle can thus be integrated as a carrier of effectors into a reconnaissance-strike network.

Endurance at sea and a high degree of automation allow unmanned systems to take over reconnaissance and surveillance tasks on a permanent basis. This relieves crewed ships and increases their operational readiness.