STARK Delivers First Seetaube Naval Drone to German Armed Forces

German company STARK has delivered the first Seetaube unmanned surface vessel (USV) to the German Armed Forces’ Cyber and Information Domain Service.

The new crewless boat was developed based on the Vanta platform, Hartpunkt reports, citing the manufacturer.

The drone is equipped with cameras, sensors, and radar for maritime reconnaissance.

The system can navigate autonomously along a pre-programmed route and maneuver as needed. The operator remotely monitors the mission and can take control at any time, while data from the drone is transmitted in real time.

Seetaube will help naval vessels more accurately determine the location of hostile signal sources. The drone will serve as a second mobile observation point, enabling the early detection of threats at sea.

The six-meter Vanta boat can reach speeds of more than 45 knots and carry up to 500 kg of payload. It has previously been used successfully to launch Cascade loitering munitions from containerized launchers.

Over the coming months, the German Armed Forces will train the crew and conduct sea trials of the boat before it is formally adopted into service.