UK unveils undersea military tech

The Royal Navy is trialling HelsingÕs SG-1 Fathom autonomous
submarine glider as part of the Atlantic Bastion programme
designed to counter undersea threats 

HELSING SG-1 FATHOM

Craft carries onboard AI system called Lura,
designed to classify acoustic signatures of ships
and submarines detected by its sensors

Software claims to be able to classify data
40 times faster than human operators

Length
Diameter
Weight
Speed
Endurance

195cm
28cm
60kg
1-2 knots
3 months

Gliding wing

Propulsion: Boyancy-driven system
allows glider to move silently through
water without conventional propellers

Hydrophones: Four integrated
passive sonars listen for sounds
and sonar pings

MISSION PROFILE

Glider launched from ship

Multiple
gliders
can patrol
in swarm to
cover specific
areas

Can hold position
on seabed

Diving depth
Up to 2,000m

Surfaces to relay data
to ship or headquarters

Satellite communication
allows single operator to
manage many gliders

Submarine
threat

Lura reportedly detects acoustic
signatures up to ten times quieter
than other AI models

Sources: BBC, Financial Times, Helsing, UK Defence Journal
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