L&T ties up with Bengaluru start-up to develop submarine-launched drones

Vishal Thapar Jun 01, 2022

Indian Defence major Larsen & Toubro has tied up with NewSpace Research & Technologies, a Bengaluru-based start-up, to develop a futuristic submarine-launched aerial drone.

An MoU to this effect was signed during the Drone Mahotsav in New Delhi on May 27.

This tie-up is consequent to a programme launched by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in December 2021 under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) to develop unmanned systems for the Indian Navy.

The submarine-launched uncrewed aerial system (SLUAS) is intended to be a tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) tool which integrates with the overall maritime domain awareness (MDA) picture and provides targeting information to submarine commanders.

A relatively new concept, very few countries are reported to have the capability of launching a UAV from a submerged submarine. The technology for the launch is complex since it involves movement of a UAV module through water after being fired from a torpedo tube, breaking the surface of the water and then flying in the air like a regular UAV.

Experts term this drone as a missing link in the kill chain for underwater-launched weapons to attack targets on the surface of the sea and on land.

L&T has a proven capability in submersible systems, and has been a key contractor in the construction of India’s Arihant class ballistic missile-firing nuclear-powered submarine fleet under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project. It is also reported to have competence in underwater firing mechanisms and torpedo launch systems.

Market information on NewSpace Research indicates that it recently secured VC funding of Rs 150 Crore recently. It is also working with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to develop High-Altitude Psuedo Satellites and an air-launched drone system.