Royal Navy unveiled the SG-1 underwater glider, intended as a support to the anti-submarine and mine countermeasure capabilities as a part of Atlantic Bastion.
SG-1 Fathom underwater glider will support the undersea observation capabilities of the Royal Navy, within the scope of the Atlantic Bastion programme, which will pair ships with various unmanned systems for a comprehensive undersea ISR network. The programme is one of the efforts in Europe to improve undersea security for critical infrastructure like internet cables, which have been suspiciously damaged in several occasions with Russia as the culprit.
The UK MoD shared the launch test of SG-1 from a rail, a type which is also used for powered UUVs which have become a common sight for minehunting missions.
Underwater gliders, while similar to a UUV in role, operate on an entirely different principle. Whereas a UUV relies on its propulsion system, underwater gliders are optionally powered. Instead of using the push from propellers or water jets, underwater gliders mainly pump out the water in and out to move. During the ascent and descent, the glider can manoeuvre using its rudders and internal altitude control systems. This results in minimal power use and ultimately far longer endurance (Can span months) compared to a UUV. Additionally, the minimal wake and noise from movement provide massively lower chances of detection.
A similar work is from the Turkish firm Sonitus, which has developed the unpowered NARVAL 1006 glider and NARVAL 504-P propeller-assisted glider for civilian and military use.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor: Özgür Ekşi
