The Italian Navy has been thinking outside the box when it comes to next-generation uncrewed naval systems.
It has published details of a remotely piloted seaplane, dubbed the Mallard, designed to be embarked upon Landing Platform Dock amphibious warships.
The brainchild of a Navy Engineering Corps officer, the hybrid UASV (Uncrewed Aerial Surface Vehicle) would be capable of high-altitude flight, take-off from sea and land, and could also cruise on the surface of the water.
It would also feature a modular payload space with a range of different kits to support Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), medical evacuation (Medevac), area defence, and container or RHIB transport missions.
As per an Italian Navy press statement: “The main innovation lies in the integration of a hydraulic compass-folding system for the wings, which stabilises the vehicle during navigation on water and optimises hangar stowage.”
It said the UASV would be powered by turbofans during level, hovering and climbing flight, and waterjets for surface navigation.
The press statement said that as well as the general flexibility of the platform, other benefits would include a reduced stowage space needed on board the LPDs, and the potential to transfer materials and personnel in greater quantities than the current helicopters in service with the Italian Air Force.
A separate concept vessel dreamed up by another Italian Navy officer has mooted a 122-metre underwater surveillance vessel.
The Multipurpose Unit for the Surveillance of the Underwater Dimension (UPSDS) would be an armed surface vessel acting as a drone mothership with a remit to monitor and protect critical undersea infrastructure (CUI).
