AeroVironment Blackwing
In 2013, the U.S. Navy started a program called AWESUM (Advanced Weapons Enhanced by Submarine UAS against Mobile targets) to demonstrate an underwater-launched ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) micro UAV. Contractor AeroVironment Inc. developed Blackwing, a derivative of their Switchblade 300 tube-launched micro drone. The first actual launch from a submarine occurred in 2015. In 2017, AeroVironment received a contract to continue and expand the program, and to deliver the first production Blackwings by 2018. After further tests and demonstrations, the Navy declared IOC (Initial Operational Capability) for the Blackwing in September 2020.
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| Photo: AeroVironment |
| Blackwing |
The Blackwing UAV is delivered in a 3-inch diameter launch canister, which can be fired from the countermeasures tube of a submerged submarine. The canister floats to the surface, where the UAV is then ejected vertically. The drone is equipped with an EO/IR sensor system, a GPS/INS navigation system and a secure two-way wide-band data link. Available data sheets don't mention a recovery option for Blackwing. The UAV can also launched from surface ships or from land, using the same tube launcher or MPL (Multipack Launcher) as Switchblade 300.
In March 2021, the Navy announced that it intended to procure 120 Blackwing Block 10C drones over a period of 2 years. It is not really clear, if these plans were actually implemented, and how many Blackwing systems are available to the Navy as of 2024.
Specifications
Note: Data given by several sources show slight variations. Figures given below may therefore be inaccurate!
Data for Blackwing:
| Length | 49.5 cm (19.5 in) |
| Wingspan | 68.6 cm (27 in) |
| Diameter | 7.6 cm (3 in) |
| Weight | 1.8 kg (4 lb) |
| Speed | ? |
| Range | ? |
| Endurance | ca. 1 h |
| Propulsion | Electric motor |
Main Sources
[1] AeroVironment Website
[2] USNI News, Sam LaGrone:
AeroVironment to Supply Blackwing Mini UAVs for Navy Attack, Guided Missile Submarines
[3] European Defense Review, Paolo Valpolini:
Blackwing, an integral ISR capability for submarines
[4] The War Zone, Thomas Newdick:
The U.S. Navy’s Submarine-Launched Aerial Drone Capacity Is Set To Greatly Expand
[5] AeroVironment Press Release:
US Navy plans to buy 120 submarine-launched Blackwing UAVs
Back to Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Appendix 4
Last Updated: 10 September 2024