---
title: "US Navy to Deploy Submarine-Launched Drones"
description: "Blackwings are the U.S. Navy's new reconnaissance drones that can be tube-launched from submarines and unmanned underwater vehicles. The new tech was developed to counter Chinese advancements in anti-ship ballistic missiles."
date: "2016-05-23"
modified: "2016-05-23"
authors:
  - name: "Jelor Gallego"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/jelor-gallego"
url: "https://futurism.com/us-navy-to-deploy-submarine-launched-drones"
categories:
  - "Drones"
  - "Robotics"
  - "Robots and Machines"
tags:
  - "Blackwing"
  - "drone"
  - "submarine"
  - "US Navy"
---

# US Navy to Deploy Submarine-Launched Drones

![In a grim development, Indonesian officials say they've found debris from its Navy's missing submarine -- and its crew are now presumed dead.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/submarine-drone_B.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: AeroVironment\</em\>*

The US Navy is deploying a [new weapon in drone warfare](<http://www.defensetech.org/2016/05/17/us-navy-to-deploy-sub-launched-spy-drones/>): Submarine-launched drones. Dubbed "Blackwings," these small [reconnaissance drones](<https://futurism.com/long-eared-bats-helping-us-make-drones>) can be tube-launched from submarines and unmanned underwater vehicles.

Developed by [California-based AeroVironment Inc](<http://www.avinc.com/resources/press_release/united-states-navy-to-deploy-aerovironment-blackwing-reconnaissance-systems>)., the drones are about 20 inches long and weigh about four pounds. They fold up into a three-inch wide canister that can be tube-launched from the submarine. Once the canister clears the surface, the Blackwing pops out and its wings unfold.

Each unit has a motor that can last up to 60 minutes, and is fitted with miniaturized electro-optical and infrared sensors, as well as its anti-spoofing GPS and a secure digital data link.

The Blackwing was developed to counter Chinese advancements in anti-ship ballistic missile and similar "anti-access, area denial (A2AD)" technologies. The Navy has given no deployment date, but given China's aggressive posturing, it may come just in the nick of time.