French company Naval Group opened the doors of its underwater weapon facility in Saint-Tropez so that Navy Recognition may bring you an exclusive video report on the latest technologies in terms of torpedoes, AUVs and anti-torpedo countermeasures. The site located on the French Riviera has been developing and producing underwater weapons and systems since 1912.
Naval Group designed the D19 to accomplish a wide range of missions, including ISR, electronic warfare, training, maritime interdiction etc. Naval Group image.
D19 is Naval Group's first autonomous underwater military drone designed to equip surface vessels and submarines. Capitalizing on its know-how in the area of torpedoes and mobile underwater targets, Naval Group designed the D19 to accomplish a wide range of missions, including ISR, electronic warfare, training, maritime interdiction etc.
Equipped with modular payload at the front end, which can be easily switched thanks to a plug-and-play system, D19 can fulfill a wide variety of missions:
- identification, surveillance, reconnaissance,
- electronic warfare,
- anti-submarine warfare,
- underwater mobile target,
- mine countermeasures,
- rapid environmental assessment,
- act as a smart underwater mine
Video: D19 autonomous underwater vehicle
Already sea proven for different missions thanks to the joint effort of Naval Group and French Navy, the D19 combines long endurance and intelligence to offer a wide range of operational employment. It can be launched by submarine, vessel or from the shore. Its payload is modular according to the mission.
The D19 AUV is built on a F21 torpedo base. This way, Naval Group takes advantage of its experience accumulated with the development of this torpedo. The D19 is propelled by a Lithium-ion energy section.
