Drone that changed naval warfare: Ukraine reveals new-gen Sea Baby
The Security Service of Ukraine unveiled its latest Sea Baby naval drones (photo: Vitalii Nosach/RBC-Ukraine)
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) unveiled brand-new Sea Baby naval drones that have already proven effective in fights against the Russian fleet. These platforms can carry machine-gun and rocket armaments, operate at long range, and have a self-destruct system. Sea Baby drones have struck 11 ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, took part in attacks on the Crimean Bridge, and today are shifting the balance of power in the Black Sea. More about the SBU development read in the RBC-Ukraine report.
Smart weapons that are changing the war
The Security Service of Ukraine presented the latest multi-purpose Sea Baby naval drones, which have already shown effectiveness against the Russian fleet. This was reported by the SBUэs military counterintelligence general with a call-sign Hunter.
The Sea Baby naval platforms are a Ukrainian development that combines high technology, autonomy, and heavy firepower. They can carry machine-gun mounts, multiple-rocket launch systems, and warheads adapted from anti-ship missiles.
The new generation of drones was presented only now, but they have been operating against enemy targets since 2022, when they were first used to attack ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol Bay. Since then, the SBU's naval drones have continuously evolved and improved. Range has reportedly been extended to 1,500 kilometers, and combat payload has increased from 450 to 2,000 kilograms.
"We are creating a completely new type of naval warfare. Sea Baby is a drone that can fight from a great distance without entering the enemy's strike zone. This is our answer to the Russian fleet," said Hunter.
Sea Baby naval platforms are a Ukrainian development that combines advanced technology, autonomy, and powerful weaponry (Photo: Vitalii Nosach/RBC-Ukraine)
One of the displayed variants is a machine-gun drone equipped with a gyro-stabilized 14.5 mm turret, capable of engaging targets at distances exceeding one kilometer. Another is a rocket drone that can launch volleys of five or ten Grad rockets simultaneously. They are also equipped with FPV drones capable of striking helicopters and patrol boats.
The brigadier general stressed that the SBU is already working to adapt rocket armaments for long-range strikes so operators won't have to approach enemy countermeasures.
"This is only the beginning. The next stage is integration of anti-ship missiles and even more powerful armaments that will force the Russians to stay inside their ports," the SBU representative added.
SBU representative, military counterintelligence general with the call sign Hunter (Photo: Vitalii Nosach/RBC-Ukraine)
Targets the drones hit, and operations they took part in
According to Hunter, Sea Baby drones took part in striking the Crimean Bridge, attacking the structure from the water. He emphasized that Russian defenses of the bridge are among the most heavily protected in the world, but Ukrainian forces managed to inflict significant damage. The Russians can no longer use it for military logistics.
Among other successful SBU operations using naval drones are strikes on 11 ships of the Russian fleet. These include:
- Frigate Admiral Makarov (prototype)
- Frigate Admiral Essen (prototype)
- Minesweeper Ivan Golubets (prototype)
- Patrol ship Ladny (prototype)
- Missile carrier Samum (Sea Baby)
- Missile carrier Buyan (Sea Baby)
- Ship Pavel Derzhavin (Sea Baby)
- Large naval tug Professor Nikolay Muru (Sea Baby)
- Reconnaissance-hydrographic ship Vladimir Kozitsky (Sea Baby)
- Landing ship Olenegorsky Gornyak, near Novorossiysk (SBU drone Mamai)
- Tanker SIG, near Novorossiysk (SBU drone Mamai)
Sea Baby drones have a built-in self-destruct system so that, if a vehicle is lost, the enemy cannot study it. The drones are controlled via mobile command posts that can be located almost anywhere, even while in motion.
The next stage will be the integration of anti-ship missiles and even more powerful weaponry that will keep the Russians confined to their ports (photo: Vitalii Nosach/RBC-Ukraine)
"We fight almost like in a computer game. An intelligent control system allows coordination of dozens of drones simultaneously, integrated into a single network to NATO standards," the general explained.
The Sea Baby project was created with the support of Ukrainian citizens — part of the funding was raised through the UNITED24 platform.
"This is the collective work of our people. Everyone who donated helped create a weapon that today defends Ukraine at sea," Hunter emphasized.
According to the SBU representative, the program's main goal is the destruction of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and the liberation of Ukraine's waters from the occupiers.
