Ever keen to demonstrate new ideas in the maritime domain, Naval Group took the opportunity on the opening day of Euronaval in Paris to highlight another new submarine concept that is being used to explore technologies that could be integrated into future platforms.
The SMX-31, at least on the digital screen, would be a 3,400t, 70m-long stealth submarine, designed with long-term surveillance and monitoring at its core. Conceptually, the maximum diving depth could be 250m and be capable of a maximum speed of 20kt.
Typical payloads included between 16-46 ‘heavy weapons’, ROVs, UUVs and AUVs.
However, the programme is instead
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Delays in the construction of the Polar Security Cutter – the future substitute for the Polar Star – are likely to prolong the ageing icebreaker’s service time even more, putting the USCG in a risky position.
The adaptable design of Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 frigate, already selected by the UK Royal Navy and Poland, has led to more orders from Indonesia while other countries continue to weigh it up.
The presence of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group in the Persian Gulf means additional naval and aerial capabilities, which provides the US with multiple attacking options.
The US Navy’s acceleration of its laser weapon development initiatives reflects a decisive shift towards ultimately having a “laser on every ship” across tomorrow’s surface fleet.
The new frigate class’s focus on modularity, speed to build and enhanced armament align with the priorities of the US Navy’s Golden Fleet.
The US Navy is set to invest $30 billion in artificial intelligence, cyber, space and autonomy research and development efforts in FY2026 as the force rethinks how it fights in light of China’s naval rise.
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