The US Navy counters deadly sea mines using airborne lasers, Avenger-class ships, and Mk 18 Kingfish drones. By deploying $100,000 SeaFox neutralisers and AI sonar, the military safely destroys underwater explosives without risking human divers.


‘Mine clearance’: How the US Navy deals with underwater mine risks

The US Navy is deploying advanced underwater drones to clear Iranian sea mines from the Strait of Hormuz. Guarded by guided-missile destroyers, these robots use sonar and remote explosives to safely disarm the threats without risking sailors.

‘Underwater threat’: Why the US military is relying on drones to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz

The United States and Australia have introduced what is being described as a prototype uncrewed underwater vehicle or drone. The names that have been given to these drones include stuff such as Ghost Shark and Manta Ray. Now experts say that the submersibles could represent the future of undersea Warfare.

Latest underwater drones: Australia's Ghost Shark and America's Manta Ray

<p>North Korea claimed twice in a row this week that it tested underwater drones capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and unleashing a "radioactive tsunami". Pyongyang's purported actions have put the spotlight on how exactly these underwater drones are different from conventional nuclear warhead-carrying projectiles.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What are underwater drones?</strong></h2>

<p>Underwater drones are Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs). They can be operated underwater without a human occupant and have been deemed the war-machines for future warfare. The first underwater drones surfaced from humanity's scientific prowess in the 1950s. In 1957, the first unmanned underwater vehicle was created in the United States to research the Arctic waters.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Underwater drones and nuclear warheads: How do they operate?</strong></h2>

<p>The US Navy first deployed underwater drones from submarines in 2015. The Russian-origin Poseidon, is world's most talked-about underwater drone and is one of the six Russian strategic weapons announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin in March 2018.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;North Korea: Pyongyang claims another successful underwater drone test</strong></p>

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<p>In January 2023, it was reported that the first batch of the Poseidon weapons had been manufactured.</p>

<p>Typical depth of the drone may be about 50–100 metres (160–330 ft) for increased stealth features in low-speed stealth mode. Low depth in stealth mode is preferred because sound waves move to the ocean floor and reduce radius of detection. Submarines use the same strategy in silent running mode.</p>

<h2><strong>Which countries have underwater drones with nuclear warheads?</strong></h2>

<p>North Korea's recent demonstration of its underwater drones with nuclear warheads is yet to be decisively verified. The United States, and by extension all 31 NATO countries, possess underwater nuclear-powered drones. The Russian Federation, too, possesses underwater drones with nuclear warheads.</p>

<h2><strong>North Korea's recent demonstrations</strong></h2>

<p>The North Korean drone is named “Haeil,” a Korean word meaning tidal waves or tsunamis.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-claims-to-have-tested-another-nuclear-capable-underwater-drone-580303">North Korea claims to have tested another nuclear-capable underwater attack drone</a></strong></p>

<p>The state media reported that the drone was deployed Tuesday off the North’s eastern coast. It reportedly travelled underwater for nearly 60 hours, and detonated a test warhead at a target standing for an enemy port. North Korean state media added that the attack drone can be “deployed at any coast and port or towed by a surface ship for operation.”<br />
<br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


North Korea claimed twice in a row this week that it tested underwater drones capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and unleashing a "radioactive tsunami". Pyongyang's purported actions have put the spotlight on how exactly these underwater drones are different from conventional nuclear warhead-carrying projectiles.

North Korea claimed twice in a row this week that it tested underwater drones capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and unleashing a "radioactive tsunami". Pyongyang's purported actions have put the spotlight on how exactly these underwater drones are different from conventional nuclear warhead-carrying projectiles. What are underwater drones? Underwater drones are Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs). They can be operated underwater without a human occupant and have been deemed the war-machines for future warfare. The first underwater drones surfaced from humanity's scientific prowess in the 1950s. In 1957, the first unmanned underwater vehicle was created in the United States to research the Arctic waters. Underwater drones and nuclear warheads: How do they operate? The US Navy first deployed underwater drones from submarines in 2015. The Russian-origin Poseidon, is world's most talked-about underwater drone and is one of the six Russian strategic weapons announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin in March 2018. ALSO WATCH | North Korea: Pyongyang claims another successful underwater drone test × In January 2023, it was reported that the first batch of the Poseidon weapons had been manufactured. Typical depth of the drone may be about 50–100 metres (160–330 ft) for increased stealth features in low-speed stealth mode. Low depth in stealth mode is preferred because sound waves move to the ocean floor and reduce radius of detection. Submarines use the same strategy in silent running mode. Which countries have underwater drones with nuclear warheads? North Korea's recent demonstration of its underwater drones with nuclear warheads is yet to be decisively verified. The United States, and by extension all 31 NATO countries, possess underwater nuclear-powered drones. The Russian Federation, too, possesses underwater drones with nuclear warheads. North Korea's recent demonstrations The North Korean drone is named “Haeil,” a Korean word meaning tidal waves or tsunamis. ALSO READ | North Korea claims to have tested another nuclear-capable underwater attack drone The state media reported that the drone was deployed Tuesday off the North’s eastern coast. It reportedly travelled underwater for nearly 60 hours, and detonated a test warhead at a target standing for an enemy port. North Korean state media added that the attack drone can be “deployed at any coast and port or towed by a surface ship for operation.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

North Korea's underwater nuclear-powered drones: What are they and which other countries have them?

<p>China has deployed a fleet of underwater drones called Sea Wing (Haiyi) glider in the Indian Ocean, which can operate for months on end and make observations for naval intelligence purposes, according to defence analyst HI Sutton.</p>

<p>Writing for the Forbes magazine, Sutton said that these sea gliders, which the Chinese are deploying "en masse", are a type of Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (UUV) which were launched in mid-December 2019 and recovered in February after making over 3,400 observations.</p>

<p>Citing the government sources, Sutton in his report said that these gliders are similar to those deployed by the US Navy, one of which was seized by Beijing in 2016 to ensure "safe navigation of passing ships." "Taken at face value, it may be surprising that China is now deploying these types of UUV en masse in the Indian Ocean. China has also deployed the Sea Wing from an ice breaker in the Arctic," Sutton wrote.</p>

<p>According to the defence expert, reports from December last year suggested that 14 would be employed in the Indian Ocean mission but only 12 were used. Sutton said that these gliders are unpowered with large wings to glide that can run for long periods of time, adding that they are not fast or agile, however, they are employed for long-range missions.</p>

<p>Furthermore, the defence analyst said these Chinese gliders that are placed in the Indian Ocean were reportedly gathering oceanography data, which "sounds innocuous" however, is commonly gathered for naval intelligence purposes." Noting the rising challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat earlier this month had said the world is witnessing a race for strategic bases in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), adding that it is only going to gain momentum in the times to come.</p>

<p>"Of late along with geostrategic competition in the Indo-Pacific, we are also witnessing a race for strategic places and bases in the Indian Ocean region which is only going to gain momentum in the times to come," General Rawat had said while delivering a keynote address at the Global Dialogue Security Summit.</p>

<p>CDS Rawat had said, "In the military field, technology must be a means of deterrence not a source of destruction. Our approach to security hence needs to shift from unilateral to the multilateral mode which mandates increasing training engagements with partner nations in order to fortify the future." He said that based on the challenges that India face, "we require structured long term planning for capacity building and capability development of our defence forces."</p>


China has deployed a fleet of underwater drones called Sea Wing (Haiyi) glider in the Indian Ocean, which can operate for months on end and make observations for naval intelligence purposes, according to defence analyst HI Sutton.

China has deployed a fleet of underwater drones called Sea Wing (Haiyi) glider in the Indian Ocean, which can operate for months on end and make observations for naval intelligence purposes, according to defence analyst HI Sutton. Writing for the Forbes magazine, Sutton said that these sea gliders, which the Chinese are deploying "en masse", are a type of Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (UUV) which were launched in mid-December 2019 and recovered in February after making over 3,400 observations. Citing the government sources, Sutton in his report said that these gliders are similar to those deployed by the US Navy, one of which was seized by Beijing in 2016 to ensure "safe navigation of passing ships." "Taken at face value, it may be surprising that China is now deploying these types of UUV en masse in the Indian Ocean. China has also deployed the Sea Wing from an ice breaker in the Arctic," Sutton wrote. According to the defence expert, reports from December last year suggested that 14 would be employed in the Indian Ocean mission but only 12 were used. Sutton said that these gliders are unpowered with large wings to glide that can run for long periods of time, adding that they are not fast or agile, however, they are employed for long-range missions. Furthermore, the defence analyst said these Chinese gliders that are placed in the Indian Ocean were reportedly gathering oceanography data, which "sounds innocuous" however, is commonly gathered for naval intelligence purposes." Noting the rising challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat earlier this month had said the world is witnessing a race for strategic bases in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), adding that it is only going to gain momentum in the times to come. "Of late along with geostrategic competition in the Indo-Pacific, we are also witnessing a race for strategic places and bases in the Indian Ocean region which is only going to gain momentum in the times to come," General Rawat had said while delivering a keynote address at the Global Dialogue Security Summit. CDS Rawat had said, "In the military field, technology must be a means of deterrence not a source of destruction. Our approach to security hence needs to shift from unilateral to the multilateral mode which mandates increasing training engagements with partner nations in order to fortify the future." He said that based on the challenges that India face, "we require structured long term planning for capacity building and capability development of our defence forces."

China deploying 'en masse' underwater drones in Indian Ocean, says report 

In Russia, a group of environment campaigners is now using water drones to assess the damage caused. Watch report.