Britain to Use AI and Drones to Track Russian Submarines

The Times: British Navy wants to track Russian submarines using AI

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The Royal Navy is considering monitoring the movements of Russian submarines using artificial intelligence and a fleet of underwater drones. The project would involve hundreds of SG-1 Fathom drones equipped with acoustic analysis systems, The Times reports.

An AI algorithm trained to recognize the unique sound profiles of ships, submarines and marine life will be integrated into drones developed by British company Blue Ocean. Initially, these compact (about 60 kg), silent gliders with sonars were created to study whales and map the ocean floor. German defense concern Helsing proposed adapting the technology to form a distributed underwater surveillance network.

The system works on the same principle as a satellite constellation: drones, capable of operating autonomously for up to three months, patrol designated areas. When anomalies are detected, they surface to transmit data. “A single device is ineffective, but their low cost allows hundreds or even thousands of units to be deployed at a time,” Helsing spokesman Neil Cartwright explained. According to him, this will make key sea zones “high-risk zones” for Russian submarines.

The devices will use the Lura AI platform, which, according to the developers, analyzes data dozens of times faster than a human, identifying even minimal acoustic anomalies. The system has the ability to continuously learn machines, increasing the accuracy of target recognition. The project demonstrates the growing role of civilian technologies in the military sphere, transforming environmental tools into elements of strategic defense.