Italy-based engineering firm Saipem has developed an underwater drone designed to become a key tool in the Italian Navy’s future mine countermeasure operations.
Dubbed Hydrone-D, the platform is the company’s latest hybrid autonomous underwater vehicle (HUAV) that can be operated remotely at depths of over 600 meters (1,969 feet).
It can be equipped with a suite of side-scan sonars and up to four explosive charges, allowing it to identify and neutralize hidden naval mines.
The HUAV also features optical cameras and advanced imaging systems to support seabed surveys, pipeline inspections, and ocean-floor data collection, expanding its role beyond mine defense.
Launch and recovery are handled by a shipborne crane, enabling deployment in harsh waters and reducing its dependency on surface weather.
At 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) long and 1.5 meters (5 feet) wide, Hydrone-D maintains a compact profile that helps minimize detection.
All-Around Navigation
Hydrone-D integrates an inertial navigation system and a doppler velocity log, which enable precision tracking underwater.
An altimeter helps the platform navigate its path with more efficiency.
The subsea drone is also capable of controlling its position and angle in six different directions, allowing it to maintain stability during missions.
With acoustic modems and tethered connectivity, Hydrone-D can send mission data and sonar visuals to operators in real time.
Sonsub, Saipem’s subsea robotics division, debuted the new underwater platform during the Seafuture 2025 in La Spezia, Italy. It is set for integration into the Italian Navy’s Generation Minehunters/Coastal initiative.
