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USN unveils submarine-launched UAV

11th December 2013 - 11:44 GMT | by Beth Stevenson in London

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The US Navy has revealed details of a submarine-launched electric UAV concept following the conclusion of 12 months of live demonstrations this year.

The all-electric, fuel cell powered XFC UAV is launched from a submarine within minutes and can operate for up to six hours while transmitting full motion video feeds. It has been tested off of the Los Angeles-class USS Providence vessel using the concept’s Sea Robin launcher.

The development has been conducted by the US Naval Research Laboratory with funding from the Office of Naval Research’s SwampWorks and the DoD Rapid Reaction Technology Office, and so far the

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Author

Beth Stevenson

Beth is a former senior reporter for Digital Battlespace and Unmanned Vehicles magazines. Beth graduated …

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