US Navy develop underwater drone shaped like a shark

It is hoped the GhostSwimmer can eventually be used in US Navy intelligence and reconnaissance missions

Jack Simpson
Thursday 18 December 2014 18:12 GMT
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The GhostSwimmer was unveiled at a test event at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story
The GhostSwimmer was unveiled at a test event at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story

You’ve heard of the Navy Seals, now meet the Navy Shark.

The US Office of Naval research has unveiled the latest in what it calls its “science-fiction-turned-reality” projects, in the form of an underwater drone shaped like a shark.

Currently, the GhostSwimmer is able to dive down to 300ft and is used mainly to gather information on tide, currents and wakes.

Nevertheless, the US Navy has big plans for the GhostSwimmer and hope that it can eventually be used for intelligence and reconnaissance missions, as well as spotting underwater mines.

It was shown to the public for the first time last week, during test event at the Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia.

The GhostSwimmer was developed by the Navy in partnership with Advanced Systems Group at Boston Engineering, a tech company that has works closely with the US to develop game-changing robotics and unmanned systems.

According to reports, the GhostSwimmer might soon be getting a friend, with the Department of Homeland Security announcing that they were developing BIOswimmer a newer smaller version the GhostSwimmer.

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