Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has unveiled its BlueWhale Large Autonomous Underwater Vehicle for the first time, extending the company’s maritime capabilities. The BlueWhale can perform covert intelligence-gathering above the sea surface. It can also detect submarines, underwater targets and gather...
To read the full article, please log in or enter your email below:
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has unveiled its BlueWhale Large Autonomous Underwater Vehicle for the first time, extending the company’s maritime capabilities.
The BlueWhale can perform covert intelligence-gathering above the sea surface.
It can also detect submarines, underwater targets and gather acoustic intelligence, and also search for and detect naval mines on the seabed.
IAI VP and ELTA's CEO , Yoav Tourgema said “BlueWhale joins the family of land, sea, and space-based unmanned platforms, developed by IAI, and represents a force-multiplier for submarine fleets. Based on its advanced engineering capabilities IAI’s Elta Group has for the first time in the world managed to bring to maturity the development and production of an autonomous underwater system able to perform a wide range of tasks. BlueWhale is a significant member of IAI’s family of maritime products, which include solutions for use in Economic Exclusion Zones, tools for managing autonomous vessels, and their integration in monitoring the maritime arena.”
The BlueWhale has successfully undergone thousands of autonomous operation hours, including intelligence-gathering for both maritime and coastal targets, acoustic intelligence, and identifying the presence of naval mines.
The autonomous submarine can perform a significant portion of the operations of a manned submarine, for periods of several weeks, at minimal cost and maintenance, without the need for operators on board.
BlueWhale is equipped with a telescopic mast, like the periscope of a manned submarine, several meters high, on which are mounted radar and electro-optical systems for detecting sea and coastal targets.
By using a satellite communications antenna on the mast, the gathered data can be transferred in real-time to command posts, anywhere in the world, at sea or on land.
Submarine detection and acoustic intelligence-gathering data is enabled using a sonar, several tens of meters long, towed by the BlueWhale, and by flank array sonar with receiver arrays attached to both sides of the platform. In parallel, mine detection is performed using a dedicated synthetic aperture sonar, attached to the sides of the vessel.
The BlueWhale has a sensor suite to help ensure its safe transit underwater or near the surface.
Airbus has had a hugely successful week, racking up almost US $21 billion in deals and contracts at the Paris…
MTU Aero Engines closed its participation at this year’s edition of the Paris Air Show with record engine orders worth…
Indian state-owned airframer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has entered into an agreement with Safran Aircraft Engines, for the industrialization and…
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and Electra.aero, Inc. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore opportunities for Electra's EL9 ultra-short…
As demand grows and talent pipeline pressures mount, the need to drive at least 30 to 40 per cent greater…
With airframers not able to meet production targets this year and unlikely to do so in the next two years…
Leonardo and Avioane Craiova have signed a "Technological and Industrial Cooperation Agreement" during the Paris Air Show, aimed at deepening…
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited has confirmed the sale of one Twin Otter Classic 300-G aircraft to the United…
The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has selected Daher as one of five companies to develop a Medium Altitude Long…
The Norwegian Air Ambulance has entered into a new frame contract with Airbus for up to eight H145 helicopters, including…
Eve Air Mobility has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Future Flight Global, a pioneer in electric aircraft, for…
EGYPTAIR has disclosed a firm order for an additional six A350-900s as part of its expansion strategy to meet growing…
Embraer has received a firm order from SkyWestfor 60 aircraft with purchase rights on 50 additional aircraft. Deliveries of the…
Four French aerospace companies - Daher, Safran, Collins Aerospace and Ascendance - are joining hands to study and define a…
The French defence procurement agency, Direction générale de l'armement (DGA), has inked a joint declaration of intent with Saab regarding…
Airbus Helicopters and Leonardo announced at the ongoing Paris Air Show that they would join forces to carry out an…
Sikorsky and CAE announced at Le Bourget on the third day of the Paris Air Show that they would be…
Aerospace and national security company, SNC, and Lufthansa Technik have announced a strategic partnership to enhance their combined capabilities in…
STARLUX Airlines of Taiwan has signed a firm order with Airbus for the purchase of ten additional A350-1000 aircraft, taking…
The Ministry of National Defence of Lithuania has chosen the Embraer C-390 Millennium as the country’s next-generation military transport aircraft.…
Embraer signed Component Pool Program contracts with multiple airlines on the third day of the ongoing Paris Air Show. Currently,…
Embraer and Amelia, an airline operated by the France based Regourd Aviation Group, has signed an extensive services agreement, including…
Embraer and CAE are expanding their full-flight simulator network with the deployment of a state-of-the-art E2 full-flight simulator (FFS) at…
Airbus and MTU Aero Engines have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance hydrogen fuel cell propulsion technology, a…
Lockheed Martin has confirmed a major advancement in the structural longevity of its C-130J Super Hercules, following a wing durability…
Airlink, Southern Africa’s leading full-service carrier, has announced plans to lease 10 new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft from Azorra, a US-based…
Dassault Aviation and Reliance Aerostructure Ltd (RAL), a subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure, unveiled a strategic partnership to manufacture Falcon 2000…
In a move to bolster European defence capabilities, Quantum Systems and Airbus Defence and Space have signed a Memorandum of…
Air Astana Group carriers have continued their winning streak at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards, held during the Paris…
Embraer has secured a firm order from SkyWest, Inc. for 60 E175 aircraft, with options for an additional 50. Deliveries…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2025 GBP all rights reserved.