Rotary-Wing & Fixed-Wing UAVs

Rotary-wing UAVs like the MQ-8C Fire Scout are used for rapid interception and ISR over short-to-medium ranges. They can hover for extended periods and operate from small deck platforms. Conversely, fixed-wing UAVs such as the MQ-9B SeaGuardian offer persistent coverage over thousands of nautical miles, ideal for wide-area maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) gathering.

Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs)

USVs are increasingly used to patrol choke points and harbor entrances, carrying radar, sonar, and optronics payloads. These vessels can autonomously track surface contacts, shadow suspicious boats, and even deploy non-lethal deterrents. Their modularity allows mission customization—from anti-piracy patrols to underwater mine detection. Integration with naval command networks means USVs can operate cooperatively with manned fleets.

Missile Systems & Counter-Strike Readiness

To counter UAV/USV threats, naval vessels now carry precision missile interceptors, such as the C-Dome or RAM (Rolling Airframe Missile). These systems receive cueing data from UAVs and radar to engage small, agile targets at close ranges. Soft-kill options like jammers and spoofers are also paired with hard-kill systems for layered defense. These hybrid kill chains ensure comprehensive protection from emerging autonomous threats.