SpearUAV has released the encapsulated Ninox 103 Sub-to-Air loitering UAS, which enables the underwater launch of submarine drones into the air, a first according to the company, to provide immediate BVLOS situational awareness.

The autonomous AI-based system is designed for undetectable, underwater launch, according to a news release. It’s intuitive and easy to operate, providing an effective way for submarines, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and other underwater platforms to “gain instant aerial capabilities” to support a variety of missions, including joint-force operations, reconnaissance and those of special forces.

The system can be launched instantly, providing real-time imaging beyond the coastline at long ranges, remaining a distance from land and undetected. It is ruggedized for harsh underwater and maritime environments and is payload agnostic. An open architecture enables third-party data link integration.

The solution can be integrated into existing submarine launching infrastructure. Its low visual, thermal and acoustic signatures support stealth-mode operation.

“The first technological development of its kind in the world, the Ninox 103 Sub-to-Air has been developed in response to the needs of Spear’s customers worldwide for a drone capable of underwater launch,” SpearUAV Founder and CEO Colonel (Ret.) Gadi Kuperman said, according to the release. “The system has been successfully tested, and Spear is collaborating with a number of defense companies as it continues to work on new developments.”