NRL NEWS BRIEFS

NAVY LAUNCHES UAV FROM

SUBMERGED SUBMARINE
By Daniel Parry, NRL Public Affairs Office

he U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) with funding from

SwampWorks at the Office of
Naval Research (ONR) and the Department of Defense Rapid Reaction
Technology Office demonstrated the
launch of an all-electric, fuel-cellpowered, unmanned aerial system
(UAS) from a submerged submarine.
From concept to fleet demonstration,
this idea took less than six years to
produce results at significant cost
savings when compared to traditional
programs often taking decades to
produce results.

Once deployed from the TLC, the Sea

Robin launch vehicle with integrated
XFC rose to the ocean surface where
it appeared as a spar buoy. Upon
command of Providence Commanding Officer, the XFC then vertically
launched from Sea Robin and flew
a successful several hour mission
demonstrating live video capabilities
streamed back to Providence, surface
support vessels, and Norfolk before
landing at the Naval Sea Systems
Command Atlantic Undersea Test and
Evaluation Center (AUTEC), Andros,
Bahamas.

Developing disruptive technologies and quickly getting them into

the hands of our sailors is what our
SwampWorks program is all about,
said Craig A. Hughes, Acting Director
of Innovation at ONR. This demonstration really underpins ONRs dedication and ability to address emerging
fleet priorities.

XFC UAS launch in time-lapsed

photography. Deployed from
the submerged submarine USS
Providence, the XFC vertically
launched from a Sea Robin
launch vehicle (bottom right).
The folding wing UAS autonomously deploys its X-wing airfoil
and after achieving a marginal
altitude, assumes horizontal
flight configuration.
(Photo: NAVSEA-AUTEC)

The successful submerged launch

of a remotely deployed UAS offers a
pathway to providing mission-critical
intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to the
U.S. Navys submarine force.
Operating under support of the
Los Angeles class submarine USS
Providence (SSN 719) and the Naval
Undersea Warfare CenterNewport
Division (NUWC-NPT), the NRLdeveloped XFC (eXperimental Fuel
Cell) UAS was fired from the submarines torpedo tube using a Sea Robin
launch vehicle system. The Sea Robin
launch system was designed to fit
within an empty Tomahawk launch
canister (TLC) used for launching
Tomahawk cruise missiles already
familiar to submarine sailors.

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The NRL Chemistry and Tactical

Electronic Warfare Divisions team
includes the design-builder of the Sea
Robin, Oceaneering International Inc.
(Hanover, MD); the fuel cell developer
Protonex Technology Corp. (Southborough, MA); and NUWC-NPTs
Autonomous and Defensive Systems
Department for Temporary Alteration
(TEMPALT) and test demonstration
support.

This six-year effort represents the

best in collaboration of a Navy laboratory and industry to produce a technology that meets the needs of the
special operations community, said
Dr. Warren Schultz, program developer and manager, NRL. The creativity and resourcefulness brought to this
project by a unique team of scientists
and engineers represents an unprecedented paradigm shift in UAV propulsion and launch systems.

The XFC is a fully autonomous, allelectric, fuel-cell-powered, folding wing

UAS with an endurance of greater than
six hours. The nonhybridized power
plant supports the propulsion system
and payload for a flight endurance that
enables relatively low cost, low altitude,
ISR missions. The XFC UAS uses an
electrically assisted take-off system
which lifts the plane vertically out of its
container and therefore enables a very
small footprint launch such as from a
pickup truck or small surface vessel.

SPECTRA

NRL NEWS BRIEFS

Captain Mark C. Bruington Relieves

Captain Anthony J. Ferrari
Captain Mark C. Bruington, USN, assumed the
duties as the Naval Research Laboratorys 38th
Commanding Officer during a formal Change
of Command ceremony in Washington, D.C.
on Friday, August 1, 2014. Captain Bruington
succeeds Captain Anthony J. Ferrari, USN, who
retired following two years as Commanding Officer
of NRL, and 28 years of Naval service.

Capt. Anthony Ferrari

Capt. Mark Bruington

As NRLs Commanding Officer, Capt. Bruington

directs the activities of approximately 2500
scientists, engineers, and support personnel in
their mission to conduct leading-edge research
and provide new technological capabilities to the
Navy and Marine Corps. Prior to his assumption of
command of NRL, he was the Principal Director,
Programs at the Defense Security Cooperation
Agency where he led a team charged with
Department of Defense humanitarian assistance,
building partnership capacity and Foreign Military
Training and Equipping U.S. partner nations.

Captain Anthony J. Ferrari Receives

Legion of Merit
For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as Commanding Officer, Naval Research Laboratory from August 2012 to July 2014. Captain Ferrari significantly
increased Untied States national security by fostering the Naval
Research Laboratorys world-class research capabilities and delivery of critical advanced technologies to the Department of Defense
and other national level organizations. His efforts enabled the Naval
Research Laboratory to develop and transition critical science and
technology programs needed to maintain overwhelming technological superiority in the dynamic global operational environment.
Captain Ferrari forged the way ahead, improving business practices
and methodically investing in a broad array of scientific and technological infrastructure projects such as the Marine Meteorology Center, which provides state-of-the-art research facilities for weather
forecasting for the fleet. His innovative spirit, involved leadership,
and ability to surge technological solutions to short-fused, missioncritical national requirements have saved lives and contributed to a
plethora of operational successes. Captain Ferraris superior performance of duties highlights the culmination of 28 years of honorable
and dedicated service. By his dynamic direction, keen judgment,
and loyal devotion to duty, Captain Ferrari reflected great credit upon
himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval
Services.

WINTER 2014

Chief of Naval Research Admiral Matthew L. Klunder presents the Legion

of Merit to Captain Anthony J. Ferrari.

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