Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works, famed for the U-2 and Blackbird spy planes that flew higher than anything else in the world in their day, is trying for a different altitude record: an airplane that starts and ends its mission 150 feet underwater.
The Cormorant, a stealthy, jet-powered, autonomous aircraft that could be outfitted with either short-range weapons or surveillance equipment, is designed to launch out of the Trident missile tubes in some of the U.S. Navy's gigantic Cold War--era Ohio-class submarines.
These formerly nuke-toting subs have become less useful in a military climate evolved to favor surgical strikes over nuclear stalemates, but the Cormorant could use their now-vacant tubes to provide another unmanned option for spying on or destroying targets near the coast.
Swimming Planes
The Navy's Secret Diving and Flying Spy Plane
Trend Themes
1. Underwater Launch - The trend of developing autonomous aircraft that can start and end missions underwater opens up new possibilities.
2. Autonomous Surveillance - The trend of developing autonomous aircraft with surveillance equipment offers disruptive innovation opportunities for defense industries.
3. Multi-use Submarines - The trend of converting submarines for multi-use purposes creates opportunities for defense industries.
Industry Implications
1. Defense - The Defense Industry could benefit from developing various short range weapons or surveillance equipment on an autonomous aircraft for underwater launch.
2. Aerospace - The Aerospace Industry can disrupt the market by pushing the boundaries of autonomous aircrafts and developing new launching mechanisms.
3. Maritime - The Maritime Industry can benefit by improving underwater launching mechanisms and in creating more autonomous marine vehicles.