U.S. using new kind of military drone

As the U.S. races to counter adversaries with drones, Ocean Aero is ramping up production of the Triton, an autonomous sailboat-turned-submarine that can carry weapons and other payloads


OCEAN AERO TRITON: Autonomous underwater and surface vehicle

Sail height 3m
4.4m

Stealth features
Small visual silhouette. Makers claim vessel disappears from radar outside 400m range

Military capabilities
Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
Mine countermeasures 
Anti-submarine warfare

Solar panels
For rechargeable batteries and thrusters

Deployable thrusters

Conning towers
Communications packages for data relay

Weight
350kg

Rudder
Payload bay
Keel

Capture/tow point
Launch and recovery from ship or shore


SAILING MODE

Surface speed
5 knots

Keel depth
1.5m

Triton operates autonomously for up to three months using solar and wind power

Data collection
Equipment includes HD cameras, infrared cameras and sonars


SUBMARINE MODE
Vessel can submerge for periods of up to five days, powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries

Maximum dive depth: 100m

Sail folds
Ballast tanks fill

Submerged speed
2 knots


Sources: Ocean Aero, Ocean Robotics Planet, Wall Street Journal
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