AeroVironment Blackwing UAV to be deployed on USN SSN, SSGN

AeroVironment revealed at the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space Exposition on May 16 that the U.S. Navy plans to deploy its Blackwing tube-launched unmanned aircraft system from its manned submarines and unmanned underwater vehicles. (Update to correct SSBN to SSGN)

Graphic: AeroVironment

Based on the company’s Switchblade UAS, the Blackwing “employs an advanced, miniature electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) payload, Selective Availability Anti-spoofing Module (SASSM) GPS and AeroVironment’s secure Digital Data Link (DDL).”