Helsing to Scale AI Underwater Surveillance

Helsing Advances AI Underwater Surveillance for Maritime Defense

Helsing, in collaboration with key partners, is ramping up production of its AI-enhanced underwater surveillance package, aiming to revolutionize maritime security and defense. This innovative system is designed to provide a more cost-effective alternative to traditional methods for tasks such as anti-submarine warfare (ASW), infrastructure protection, and wide-area maritime surveillance. The move comes as lessons from the Russo-Ukraine conflict underscore the need for scalable and affordable defense solutions.

Production and Deployment Plans

Amelia Gould, Helsing’s General Manager Maritime, announced at the Combined Naval Event (CNE) conference on May 21 that the SG-1 system will be manufactured in the UK. Initial production will be in the hundreds, with plans to scale up to thousands of units. Gould emphasized the urgency, stating, "The threat is real and immediate." The Lura/Fathom package is designed for rapid mass production to meet growing security challenges.

The Fathom/Lura system is versatile, offering sensing capabilities that allow higher-end platforms like ASW frigates to conduct precise operations. Gould noted that Western navies face demands across multiple regions, including the Baltic Sea, Atlantic, and Pacific oceans. This highlights the need for a system that can operate globally. Fathom units can be operated as a contracted service or directly by navies, providing flexibility in deployment.

Technical Capabilities of Fathom/Lura

The Fathom/Lura package combines advanced sensing with AI-enhanced processing. Fathom, a 2-meter, 60-kilogram glider, can be launched from shore, at sea, or autonomously from torpedo tubes. It uses buoyancy to glide at speeds of 2-3 knots and can operate for up to three months, equipped with passive sonar for underwater sensing. Originally designed for environmental monitoring in the oil-and-gas sector, Fathom has been adapted for defense, creating a constellation of underwater sensors.

Lura’s AI-enhanced onboard processing software is trained on historical underwater acoustic data, enabling it to perform sonar activities like detection, classification, localization, and tracking. This gives navies a significant advantage in range and decision-making. Gould explained that the system can operate 24/7, with one user able to manage hundreds of gliders from a maritime headquarters. This level of automation and scalability is a game-changer for maritime defense.

AI and Autonomy in Maritime Defense

The integration of AI and autonomy in the Fathom/Lura package significantly enhances detection capabilities. Massed sensing increases the probability of detecting underwater threats. In April trials, Helsing demonstrated that a constellation of autonomous platforms achieved a 97% intercept probability compared to a 40% chance with a single point of presence. This highlights the system’s effectiveness in providing comprehensive surveillance.

Helsing’s concept of operations (CONOPS) involves deploying gliders as a massed constellation, scalable from securing a harbor to providing an anti-submarine warfare barrier. The gliders are designed to surface and transmit data, with onboard processing reducing data volume and minimizing exposure. This deterrence-based approach aligns with NATO’s ‘Digital Ocean’ vision, where massed gliders operate autonomously and report in near-real-time.

Lessons from the Russo-Ukraine Conflict

The Russo-Ukraine conflict has underscored the importance of resilient and scalable manufacturing solutions. Ned Baker, Helsing UK’s Managing Director, noted that AI processing onboard deployed vehicles helps overcome communications degradation. The system’s ability to adapt and learn from missions ensures it evolves at the pace of emerging threats. This capability, developed alongside end users, represents a new paradigm in defense technology deployment.

Gould emphasized the need for Western navies to trust uncrewed technologies. The Fathom/Lura package’s software-defined design and ease of operation are intended to build user confidence. As the system spends more time at sea, it becomes smarter, further enhancing its reliability and effectiveness in real-world scenarios. This approach not only meets current defense needs but also prepares for future challenges in maritime security.