Autonomous QUick Insertion and Launch of AUVs

ongoing

The increasing strategic importance of the seabed warfare has positioned this domain as a critical arena in modern military strategy. In a context marked by a trend toward increased use of drones, there is a growing need for projecting capabilities over long distances, using lightweight, autonomous, and interoperable systems. Micro-Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), play a crucial role to tackle these challenges. AQUILA will develop a new approach for seabed control in Anti-Submarine Warfare and Rapid Environmental Assessment relying on a system uniquely combining heterogeneous drones (i.e. micro-AUV and UAV) and vessels to enable the execution of operation, including communication of mission data, within a 100 km range. AQUILA will develop, integrate and test technological solutions required to achieve an innovative, autonomous, easy-to-deploy and cost-effective end-to-end system that will enable i) transportation and launch of up to 4 micro-AUVs from an aerial drone (UAV); ii) airdrop deployment from a maximum altitude of 2 km without damage to the micro-AUV; iii) surface-to-air communication within a 3 km radius; iv) mission planning and data recovery and v) surface recovery of the micro-AUV from a UAV. AQUILA gathers 4 SMEs from 4 Member States. The outcome of the project will be the development of a modular system that includes: a launching platform, a communication system, a robust airdrop-resistant and air-transportable micro-AUV supported by a recovery deployable system. AQUILA will enhance the deployability of AUV for naval operations. AQUILA will be a game changer by establishing key expertise in air-launch capabilities within Europe and positioning the EU to compete head-to-head with other nations in the AUV sector. The project will also strengthen the European Union's strategic autonomy and sovereignty by developing a fully European solution for military operations and reconnaissance in marine environments.