UK’s DASA is looking into deploying unmanned anti-submarine weapons

The UK Defense and Security Accelerator (DASA) has launched exploring a new market for technology solutions related to unmanned anti-submarine warfare (ASV) capability.

DASA was appointed by the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) of the UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) to begin exploring the new market.

The new attempt is part of the CHARYBDIS project, which falls under the UK Navy’s ASW Spearhead programme.

This project aims to identify, prototype, evaluate and deliver systems that provide unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities to identify, detect, classify, track and report enemy submarines and submarines.

SDA is undertaking the market study and project on behalf of the Royal Navy (RN).

According to the RN, it is looking for innovative technologies and subsystems that can improve the RN’s unmanned anti-submarine weapons capabilities in a wide range of areas.

It includes sensors for underwater adversarial threats, in-water/over-water/surface communications capabilities, unmanned onboard/unmanned platform analysis, launch and recovery solutions, and training and maintenance options.

Other areas include power supply solutions, navigation systems, and data collection, processing, storage, management and cleaning technologies.

DASA said the new market research is currently open and interested teams can submit their proposals until January 20 next year.

According to a statement from DASA, the joint anti-submarine warfare technology initiative will support the RN’s ongoing efforts to maximize existing operational advantages over various adversaries while maintaining battle superiority.

In addition, SDA also invited concept studies from various industry partners and vendors specializing in various integrated anti-submarine systems. SDA has already reported this on the Defense Sourcing Portal.

In 2020 DASA has launched a competition develop a demonstrator system to advance forces safely and undetected into enemy territory over water.