It was only a matter of when and not if UASs would be used for ASW.
Whether they really become a ''game changer'' per see remains to be seen but UASs fitted with sonobuoys and eventually torps will change the way ASW has long been conducted. Cheaper to buy, cheaper to operate; they have the persistence a manned asset doesn't; the ability to loiter or hunt a contact for hours on end. Losing a UAS also leaves a smaller dent in ones budget. For navies which can't afford manned fixed or rotary ASW c9nfigured platforms; UASs might be the alternative they need. For other navies; UASs will be the perfect supplement to manned assets.
www.aerosociety.com
''Gathering enough information to imply the location of a submarine is difficult enough for even the most experienced ‘skimmer’. Precisely defining that location is then also very difficult – a position known as the ‘datum’. Arriving at the datum to commence a search is critical for the submarine hunter. Late arrival makes the probability of detection very low. It takes time to get to the datum and then time to execute a dipping search. Longer dipping time gives the submarine more time to run away, making the next dip further away from the datum and thus less effective. Several factors may affect dipping time, including the gear used, crew proficiency, and uncertainty regarding the submarine’s depth. A submarine will always be on the lookout for an indication of counter detection. Warships must slow from transit speeds to deploy helicopters, and a good submariner will notice these things. If a warship already has a loitering ASW UAS asset, the submarine has potentially lost one method of assessing suspected detection and is already having to be a particularly cautious. Add a weapon to the UAS and now you really can keep your submarine pay!''
Whether they really become a ''game changer'' per see remains to be seen but UASs fitted with sonobuoys and eventually torps will change the way ASW has long been conducted. Cheaper to buy, cheaper to operate; they have the persistence a manned asset doesn't; the ability to loiter or hunt a contact for hours on end. Losing a UAS also leaves a smaller dent in ones budget. For navies which can't afford manned fixed or rotary ASW c9nfigured platforms; UASs might be the alternative they need. For other navies; UASs will be the perfect supplement to manned assets.
UAVs vs Subs - Royal Aeronautical Society
Ahead of an imminent deployment of General Atomics’ MQ-9B SeaGuardian UAV demonstrator to the UK to take part in NATO operation capability maritime trials, JAMIE SAYER, RAeS Council Member, looks at how UAVs are expanding their surveillance capabilities to hunt sub-surface threats.
www.aerosociety.com
''Gathering enough information to imply the location of a submarine is difficult enough for even the most experienced ‘skimmer’. Precisely defining that location is then also very difficult – a position known as the ‘datum’. Arriving at the datum to commence a search is critical for the submarine hunter. Late arrival makes the probability of detection very low. It takes time to get to the datum and then time to execute a dipping search. Longer dipping time gives the submarine more time to run away, making the next dip further away from the datum and thus less effective. Several factors may affect dipping time, including the gear used, crew proficiency, and uncertainty regarding the submarine’s depth. A submarine will always be on the lookout for an indication of counter detection. Warships must slow from transit speeds to deploy helicopters, and a good submariner will notice these things. If a warship already has a loitering ASW UAS asset, the submarine has potentially lost one method of assessing suspected detection and is already having to be a particularly cautious. Add a weapon to the UAS and now you really can keep your submarine pay!''