UPDATED Originally posted Aug 8 2024
USVs (uncrewed surface vessels) have been under development for navies for some years, but the war in the Black Sea has redefined them.
Russia has displayed at least two 'new' uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) at the ARMY-2024 defense expo. Actually, one is new, the other is a rebranding of a type seen earlier this year...
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New Improved Yuan Class Submarine In China, May Have VLS
A new type of submarine has been observed at the Wuchang shipyard in Wuhan, China. The vessel was spotted by Defense analyst Tom Shugart.
Initial analysis suggests that it is noticibly longer than the existing Type-039A/B/C Yuan Class, and also features an X-form rudder...
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Ukrainian Weaponized Yamaha Jet Ski USV Found On Turkish Beach
A weaponized Yamaha Waverunner FX jet ski has been found on Turkish beach near Istanbul.
Two small black cylinders, mounted either side of the forward body, appear to be explosive charges...
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Possible Chinese Sail Drone Found In Taiwanese Waters
At around noon local time on July 19 2024 a sail powered surface drone (uncrewed surface vessel: USV) was found by Taiwanese fishermen in the waters off Mudou Island. The islands are around 30 nautical miles (60km) west of Taiwan in the Taiwan Strait.
Media has reported it as a U.S. Navy Saildrone, but it does not match this type, or other Western designs...
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Iran's 'Zulfikar' Submersible Torpedo Boat
Iran's submersible torpedo boats represent a serious threat to shipping in the confined waters of the Persian Gulf and, potentially, Red Sea.
They are better suited to supply to the Houthi Movement in Yemen than midget submarines...
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Houthi's Blowfish: Guide To Explosive USV Threat In Red Sea
Recent attacks with USVs, such as the sinking of MV Tutor, have brought their threat to the fore.
This guide will describe the observed types of Houthi USV...
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Massive Increase In Transatlantic Narco Submarines
Narco-submarines are transporting tons of cocaine across the Atlantic from South America to Europe. There have been indications of this going back ten years, but evidence was rare.
Now four more incidents, over a few months, hints at the scale and persistence of this unseen and under-discussed phenomenon...
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Houthi's Blowfish: Disguised Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) Sunk MV Tutor
On June 12 2024 the merchant ship MV Tutor, was hit by a Houthi uncrewed surface vessel (USV) 66 nautical miles southwest of Al Hudaydah, Yemen.
The ship has since sunk, causing an oil slick...
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Russia Shows New Naval Drones At FLOT 2024 Show
Russian manufacturers have shown off a range of uncrewed naval platforms at the Flot 2024 show in St. Petersburg.
The shadow of the war in the Black Sea is not far away....
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Ukraine's New USV, The Stalker 5.0
The Stalker 5.0 USV was revealed at the international Black Sea Security Forum 2024 in Odesa.
Unit price is stated as 60k USD, making it cheaper than some other designs...
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