German firms GABLER and FLANQ complete sea trials for torpedo tube-launched USV

Published Jul 15, 07:46 AM UTC

German defense firms GABLER and FLANQ have successfully completed the Sea Acceptance Test (SAT) for their jointly developed Torpedo-Tube-Launched Uncrewed Surface Vessel (TTL USV) capability demonstrator, named Ranger. The sea trials, conducted in June 2026, validated the vehicle's seaworthiness and integration of key technologies including autonomous surfacing, electric drivetrain, and a mission-configurable payload bay. Launched from a standard 21-inch submarine torpedo tube, the 4.5-meter Ranger is designed for covert intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. A one-way-attack variant called Strike is also planned. The project combines GABLER's submarine systems expertise with FLANQ's autonomous maritime systems and AI-enabled autonomy. GABLER will lead commercialization and host platform integration. The successful proof-of-concept milestone advances development toward operational capability for naval customers, supporting future hybrid naval operations with rapidly deployable, attritable uncrewed systems.