UUVs support to naval operations

Abstract

The article analyzes the environmental conditions present in the Black Sea basin and, in this view, the opportunity of employment of unmanned underwater platforms, especially in the contested littoral area. The introductory part of the article is presented up to date UUVs platforms in use with their capabilities and limitations. Then, the paper identifies the shortfalls and opportunities to engage unmanned platforms to operate independently or paired with other undersea, surface, unmanned aerial platforms, or fixed arrays. The closing section analyzes the types of payloads, missions, and capabilities of actual vehicles, and some ways ahead are underlined, especially regarding future sensors, weapons, navigation, and underwater communications capabilities.