Image source: topwar.ru
The UK has begun to increase the production of autonomous underwater vehicles, including drones capable of diving to a depth of 1 km. We are talking about contracts worth a total of 6 million pounds (about 538.7 million rubles) for the production of such uninhabited vehicles with a diving depth of up to 1 thousand meters as Gavia Offshore Surveyor and IVER4 580 in the amount of 2 and 3 units, respectively.
According to the information provided by the contractor, the IVER4 580 underwater drones will be able to descend to a depth of up to 300 m, and the presence of batteries in them, which are replaced in "hot mode", will allow to support the further operation of the device.
It is noteworthy that this is the second unmanned drone of the new generation of the IVER4 family for conducting a wide range of missions, including radiation reconnaissance, as well as conducting anti-submarine and mine operations.
The Royal British Navy also acquired 2 more portable Gavia drones based on a modular design, with various surveillance capabilities with side-view sonar, multipath sonar and acoustic Doppler current meter. They also have a module with equipment for oceanographic research.
In Britain itself, they write the following:
I wonder if the interest in gas pipelines from these underwater vehicles will be higher than the interest in the salt content in seawater?..
Additionally, it is reported that information from underwater drones is extremely relevant for warships (Type 23 frigates) and Boeing P-8 anti-submarine patrol aircraft. And here it is unlikely that a patrol anti-submarine aircraft is lifted into the sky by the British command in order to determine the percentage of salt content and water temperature in the North Atlantic.