CLASSIFICATION OF CREWLESS UNDERWATER VEHICLES FEATURES IN THE NAVAL FORCES OF THE ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE

Abstract

The article discusses the tactical and technical characteristics of crewless underwater vehicles in leading countries of the world, as well as their application not only as scientific research and auxiliary vehicles, but also as military underwater vehicles. The history of creating crewless underwater vehicles and their military implementation experience is also overviewed. Suggestions are provided for the classification of crewless underwater vehicles and the main terms and definitions in the area are proposed. The aim of the article is to propose a unified approach to the classification of underwater vehicles, based on the analysis of the capabilities of crewless underwater vehicles, from the perspective of system analysis and a comprehensive approach, taking into account NATO standards. During the application of Maritime Battle Environment Protection Apparatus, a new tactic is employed for the destruction of protected objects, taking into account the combat characteristics of these means. The tactical use of Maritime Battle Environment Protection Apparatus may involve delivering fire strikes to the enemy, setting and destroying mines (mine obstacles), revealing the situation in areas of force deployment (in bases, maneuvering bases), parking places for ships (boats, vessels), and approaches to them; placement of navigation and hydrographic equipment. The main directions in the development of Maritime Battle Environment Protection Apparatus for the needs of the Ukrainian Navy in the short and medium term include the development of conceptual approaches and corresponding program documents for equipping the Ukrainian Navy with such technology, studying commercially available samples similar in purpose, and creating basic models of new military-purpose Autonomous Underwater Vehicles. The proposals for the classification of Maritime Battle Environment Protection Apparatus presented in the article are one of the first steps towards implementing the above.