U.S. Navy launches UAV from submerged submarine

The U.S. Navy has successfully demonstrated the ability to launch a UAV from a submerged submarine.
XFC Unmanned Aerial System
Photo: NAVSEA-AUTEC

The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) developed XFC all-electric, fuel cell-powered UAV was vertically launched from a ‘Sea Robin’ launch vehicle while USS Providence was submerged.

Fired from the submarine’s torpedo tube, the XFC flew a successful several hour mission demonstrating live video capabilities streamed back to Providence, surface support vessels and Norfolk.

[thumb]http://www.nrl.navy.mil/media/news-releases/2013/navy-launches-uav-from-submerged-submarine[/thumb]