Long-range uncrewed aircraft can reinforce a crewed maritime patrol aircraft by supplying extra sensors and sonobuoy drops from separate positions. One example combines a crewed aircraft able to drop 60 sonobuoys, with up to 240 reloads aboard, and two uncrewed aircraft carrying 60 each. Smaller initial drops from three positions can provide triangulation without expending the full load. Comparing the same faint sound across several sensors makes a submarine interpretation more persuasive and allows the crewed aircraft to commit a torpedo with greater confidence.
Chapter · 49:20-51:21
Uncrewed aircraft expand sonobuoy fields
See how long-range uncrewed aircraft can add separate sonobuoy drops and strengthen a crewed patrol aircraft's contact solution.