Advanced submarine detection and surveillance with modern UAS technology
Modern Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) technology offers efficient detection and surveillance of submarine activity and can help protect the integrity of Danish territorial waters as well as vital undersea installations both domestically and in the Arctic region.
While negotiations for a new Danish defense settlement are still underway, there appears to be consensus among political parties to strengthen Danish sovereignty in the Arctic, improve surveillance of the North Atlantic and the Arctic regions, and invest in new high-tech military capabilities, including long-range UAS.
Enhancing maritime security
The urgent need for advanced surveillance and protection of Danish and Arctic waters is underscored by the recent escalation of geopolitical and security concerns in both Europe and in the Arctic region. As traditional methods face limitations in effectively detecting submarine activity, the utilization of UAS technology can significantly strengthen submarine detection capabilities, fortify maritime domain security, and help safeguard critical undersea infrastructure and installations.
MQ-9B SeaGuardian® – submarine detection and surveillance
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and Danish company Precision Technic Defence specialise in UAS solutions developed for maritime surveillance and submarine search and detection. The MQ-9B SeaGuardian unmanned aircraft – designed and developed by GA-ASI – is the first remotely operated aircraft of its kind to offer search and patrol operations both above and below the ocean’s surface, making it a highly advanced and effective maritime and submarine patrol and reconnaissance aircraft.
The SeaGuardian is equipped with detection devices that can be released from the aircraft, which drop directly into the ocean to detect and gather data on submarine activity. It has the capability to fly for over 30 hours regardless of weather conditions, has a mission radius of 1,200 nautical miles, and can safely integrate into civil airspace.
Game-changing and cost-effective solution
“The MQ-9B SeaGuardian presents a game-changing solution for submarine surveillance and control,” said Jens Ulrik Beck Lise, Sales Director of Precision Technic Defence. “Compared to traditional manned patrol aircraft and vessels, the SeaGuardian can provide us with valuable information about what happens below the surface of the sea and allows us to patrol and protect our maritime domain in a way that has never been possible before. It offers unparalleled efficiency and coverage of large and remote sea areas with substantial reductions in fuel, manpower, and maintenance expenses.”
Beyond defence – surveillance of oil spills, illegal fishing, and wildlife
The UAS technology is, however, not only capable of strengthening defense tasks but can also contribute to solving a wide range of civilian tasks in Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and the Arctic, saving lives and protecting the region’s vulnerable nature, ecosystems, and wildlife. Unmanned aircraft can, for example, serve as an effective tool for vessel and fishery surveillance in Arctic, Faroese, and High North waters, and detect and warn of oil spills or illegal fishing. The UAS technology is also ideal for monitoring and collecting data on wildlife and animal populations, providing information vital for political decisions on nature and wildlife protection.
Protection against wildfires and tsunamis
The advanced UAS can also solve monitoring and environmental tasks on land in, for example, Greenland, allowing local authorities to monitor natural areas where the risk of wildfires is particularly high due to climate change and long periods of drought. If a fire breaks out, a UAS can quickly provide an overview of the fire, help coordinate firefighting efforts, and thereby help prevent the loss of human lives, homes, or large natural areas. UAS can also be used as an invaluable tool to monitor unstable mountainsides along fjords, detect changes in rock formations, and thus help predict and warn of the next major landslide. By collecting knowledge and data on the movements in the mountains, unmanned aircraft can help authorities warn and evacuate residents in vulnerable areas before disaster strikes.
For further information:
Precision Technic Defence A/S
Jens Ulrik Beck Lise, Director of Sales
P: +45 69 30 14 05
O: +45 70 60 51 11
M: jub@ptdefence.com