British defence technology firm Helsing has unveiled the SG-1 Fathom, a new class of autonomous submarines developed for the Royal Navy and equipped with cutting-edge artificial intelligence capabilities.
The SG-1 Fathom operates using the Lura system, an AI-powered platform designed to detect and classify a wide array of underwater threats. Drawing on decades of Royal Navy expertise in acoustic intelligence, the system automatically identifies and categorises unique acoustic signatures of hostile vessels, providing real-time situational awareness.
Unlike traditional submarines, the SG-1 Fathom is propellerless and glides silently beneath the surface at speeds between one and two knots. Weighing approximately 60 kilograms, the drone submarine is engineered for covert deployment and long-duration missions, capable of operating autonomously for up to three months.
With its small size, stealthy design, and AI-enhanced detection capabilities, the SG-1 Fathom represents a major step forward in unmanned undersea warfare, offering the Royal Navy a discreet and persistent tool for maritime surveillance in increasingly contested waters
