Imminent release of a military-grade version of underwater drone “Scout”
Delft-based start-up Lobster Robotics is collaborating with Defence on an underwater drone known as “Scout”. The Navy will use it as part of a special project dubbed the Rapid Adoption Action Plan (RAAP). Its objective is the swift implementation of new technologies for NATO.
The partnership was sealed with the signatures of State Secretary for Defence Gijs Tuinman and Stephan Rutten, director of the Delft-based company.
The Scout drone can clearly image objects on the seabed, identify them, and classify them.
The Royal Netherlands Navy is eager to deploy it. This gives Lobster Robotics the chance to develop a bespoke, military-grade version of Scout.
Strengthening our technological edge
According to Tuinman, this project perfectly illustrates how civilian innovations can be deployed directly by the armed forces. “Dual-use technologies, such as Scout, make us faster, smarter and more effective. Within NATO, they enable us to collectively strengthen our technological edge and operational effectiveness.”
It is expected that RAAP will be approved at the NATO summit.
Lobster Robotics was one of the first companies to participate in NATO’s DIANA innovation accelerator programme, which it successfully completed in February of this year.
The project involves various defence elements, including the FRONT Innovation Centre and the Defence Diving Group. The Netherlands is now sharing the knowledge and experience gained throughout the project with other countries and NATO organisations.