NRL XFC drone (sub launched)

[Grey Havoc]

Can't find the topic I was originally going to put this into (I posted it in the AeroVironment Switchblade topic by mistake [must have been half-asleep!]), so I'll create a new topic instead.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?233162-Navy-Launches-UAV-from-Submerged-Submarine​

This test used the NRL developed fuel cell powered XFC (eXperimental Fuel Cell) unmanned aerial system (UAS); not the AeroVironment Switchblade UAV!

[...]Operating under support of the Los Angeles class USS Providence (SSN 719) and the Naval Undersea Warfare Center-Newport Division (NUWC-NPT), the NRL developed XFC UAS—eXperimental Fuel Cell Unmanned Aerial System—was fired from the submarine's torpedo tube using a 'Sea Robin' launch vehicle system. The Sea Robin launch system was designed to fit within an empty Tomahawk launch canister (TLC) used for launching Tomahawk cruise missiles already familiar to submarine sailors.[...]

Source: nrl.navy.mil - U.S. Navy Launches XFC UAV from Submerged Submarine
Picture source: nrl.navy.mil - NRL's XFC UAS Achieves Flight Endurance Milestone

 

[Grey Havoc]

http://paleofuture.gizmodo.com/1995-patent-shows-early-dream-of-navys-submarine-launc-1477395043

 

[hesham]

Hi,


http://thexhs.livejournal.com/16521.html