Saipem, an Italian engineering company, has developed Hydrone-D—an advanced underwater drone set to become a cornerstone of Italy’s next-generation naval mine countermeasure capabilities. Designed as a hybrid autonomous underwater vehicle (HUAV), Hydrone-D excels in remote operations at depths over 600 meters, providing the flexibility and control needed to navigate harsh seabed terrain.
The unit is outfitted with multiple side-scan sonars, boosting its detection abilities and facilitating detailed mapping of underwater mines and obstacles. When a threat is detected, Hydrone-D can deploy up to four explosive charges, ensuring efficient mine neutralization in both littoral and deeper waters. The drone’s modular architecture enables rapid adaptation for specialized missions and seamless integration into various operational frameworks.
With a small physical footprint measuring approximately 3.5 meters long and 1.5 meters wide, plus advanced navigational aids like inertial systems and Doppler velocity logs, Hydrone-D maintains high stability and precision during underwater missions. Its real-time data transmission capability supports mission planning and situational awareness for naval operators.
Hydrone-D’s deployment marks a major advance for the Italian Navy and showcases the nation’s commitment to leveraging innovative subsea technologies for enhanced maritime security and critical infrastructure protection.
