Ukraine deploys AI-enabled sea drones with expanded range in Black Sea
Ukraine's Security Service unveiled an upgraded AI-enabled unmanned sea drone called the Sea Baby with extended range and targeting capabilities for use in the Black Sea. The system has been deployed in attacks on Russian naval vessels and infrastructure, reportedly forcing Russia to relocate its Black Sea naval base.
What happened
Ukraine's Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) unveiled an upgraded unmanned sea drone called the 'Sea Baby' with expanded operational range and AI-assisted targeting capabilities.
The Sea Baby's range was extended from 1,000 kilometers to 1,500 kilometers, payload capacity increased to 2,000 kilograms, and variants equipped with multiple-rocket launchers and machine-gun turrets were demonstrated. The system features AI-assisted friend-or-foe targeting and can launch aerial attack drones.
Reported impact
Ukraine has used the unmanned naval drones to target Russian shipping and infrastructure in the Black Sea, with the SBU crediting strikes by the Sea Baby with forcing a strategic shift in Russia's naval operations.
Drone strikes have been used in successful attacks against 11 Russian vessels, including frigates and missile carriers, prompting the Russian navy to relocate its main base from Sevastopol in Crimea to Novorossiysk on Russia's Black Sea coast. The drones have also carried out repeated attacks on the Crimean Bridge.
Governance controls
The Sea Baby program is partially funded by public donations through a state-run initiative and is coordinated with Ukraine's military and political leadership, according to the SBU.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.