11:33 09-09-2025

Russian NPC Ushkuynik tests new fiber-optic unmanned boat

Novgorod’s NPC Ushkuynik presented a new unmanned boat with fiber-optic control, tested by the Black Sea Fleet. The vessel serves as strike craft, interceptor, or FPV drone carrier.

The Novgorod-based Research and Production Center (NPC) Ushkuynik has unveiled a new type of unmanned surface vessel equipped with a fiber-optic control system. Military analyst Boris Rozhin reported that the prototype is currently undergoing trials with the Black Sea Fleet, with live-fire testing scheduled for September, according to the company’s director, Alexey Chadaev.

The vessel’s defining feature is its guidance via a submerged fiber-optic cable. Unlike conventional communication methods, the cable sinks immediately to the seabed and remains shielded from damage thanks to its weighted, reinforced design.

Conceived as a versatile platform, the craft can be deployed in multiple roles: as a strike boat for direct attacks, as an interceptor of enemy unmanned vessels, or as a mobile launchpad for FPV drones. These drones can be launched directly from the deck and operated via radio, while the vessel itself maintains secure communication with the shore through the fiber-optic link.

Developers emphasized that the project was tailored specifically to the operational environment of the Black Sea, taking into account the unique challenges of naval warfare in the region.