Aerospace & DefenseMiniature Aircraft Carrier Fits In A Bathtub But Packs An FPVByDavid Hambling, Senior Contributor.
Moreover, Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights, amid market uncertainty.
On the other hand, I'm a South London-based nology journalist, consultant and author AuthorJul 18, 2025, 04:52am EDTJul 18, 2025, 04:59am EDTUrsula is a meter long and carries an FPV attack droneAssociation of Ukrainian Engineers Ursula is the addition to Ukraine’s drone boat fleet.
Moreover, At just one meter ( three feet) long, it may look more a toy than a serious piece of military hardware, but this robot vessel may be the world’s smallest aircraft carrier, transporting an FPV drone for reconnaissance or attack missions.
Ukraine has previously carried out successful attacks on Russian forces in coastal areas with FPVs launched from larger drone boats, considering recent developments.
Ursula, smaller and able to travel up further rivers and through swampy areas, could hit the Russians in a lot of new places.
Meanwhile, Startups Ursula was revealed in a released by the Association of Ukrainian Engineers, a group set up d ideas, publicize members work and attract investors, in light of current trends.
Additionally, The evidence shows was developed by ToviNet, a previously unknown company.
Conversely, A multi-role vessel, Ursula can be fitted with sensors to carry out river patrols or be armed with small explosive charge for suicide attacks on enemy boats (something worth watching).
Additionally, Or, as seen in the, it can transport a drone (quite telling), given current economic conditions.
Moreover, The drone is not shown taking off from the boat and no details are given, so the ject may be in its early stages.
On the other hand, However similar drone boats or Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) are in operation and flying drones from USVs is already standard practice, considering recent developments.
Additionally, MORE FOR YOU The Black Widow miniature drone boat is already in service with the Ukrainian military Ukraine MoD In particular Ukrainian military news source Militarnyi noted in January 2025 that the armed forces was receiving Black Widow 2 USVs (something worth watching).
Also, little more than a meter long the Black Widow 2 is capable of speeds of up to 25 mph. It has a raised camera on a gimbal for reconnaissance, considering recent developments.
Additionally, This demonstrates that battery is sufficient for several hours of operation, but with the engines turned off it can wait in lurking moder for several days.
Black Widow 2 can carry a 3-kilo explosive charge, enough to destroy a small boat or damage a larger vessel, in this volatile climate.
The data indicates that developers say they duced it in response to demand from the Ukrainian military, who needed it for operations against the Russians on the islands on the Dni river, in today's financial world.
Design started in 2023, the Black Widow 2 was demonstrated in late 2024 and it was in use at the start of 2025 (an important development).
One boat costs just $2,400 and the company says they can make 100 per month. Black Widow 2 has not been seen configured as a drone carrier, but it is unly that nobody else has had the idea.
Drone Aircraft Carriers Attack USV carriers struck their first targets last year, when they hit Russian offshore platforms used for observation and electronic warfare.
Moreover, According to Militarnyi the drone boats launched FPVs which engaged the Russian defenders.
This prevented them from dealing with the USVs, which appear to have dropped underwater mines to damage the legs of the platforms as well as ramming them before exploding.
HI Sutton notes that the USVs, a type not seen before, each appeared to be equipped with 4 drones, given current economic conditions.
Moreover, The raid appears to have been a success, leaving the platforms destroyed or on fire, given the current landscape.
Ukraine’s security services have released of USVs launching both FPV attack drones and longer-range fixed-wing drones, in light of current trends.
The FPVs have a claimed range oi around 10 miles, the fixed-wing drones around 25 miles.
In January Ukraine released showing an attacks on a Russian air defence systems by FPVs carried by drone boats (remarkable data).
Meanwhile, The boats appear to have been similar to the Magura USV seen previously, but may have been the same as the ones used to attack offshore platforms, Earlier this month a Ukrainian USV raid on Crimea launched FPVs which destroyed three radar a systems and a command post.
Small Size, Unlimited Range While larger USVs have attacked targets out at sea or further along the coast, Ursula seems to be more int for riverine warfare.
Being able to covertly move an FPV into an attacking position and engage enemy forces miles away from the water will open up new dimensions.
In future though, miniature aircraft carriers could attack targets at longer, and very much longer ranges.
Existing small USVs which do not rely on battery power but draw energy from their surroundings have effectively unlimited range (an important development).
Moreover, A Saildrone being tested by Danish defence forces in 2025Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images These include the WaveGlider platform operated by the U, in today's financial world.
Navy, a surfboard sized vessel which generates forward motion from wave power and powers its electronics with solar cells.
Back in 2011 makers Liquid Robotics sent a fleet of WaveGliders across the Pacific Ocean to demonstrate their ability to carry out months-long missions.
The Russians appear to have copied the design in 2016 and others may too, given the current landscape.
The Saildrone is a wind-powered USV robust enough to sail through the eye of a hurricane and also trialed by the U.
Furthermore, Navy for a variety of missions requiring extreme endurance, given the current landscape. As with WaveGliders, Saildrones have also carried out ocean crossings.
They These vessels are not fast, but they are inexpensive and stealthy compared to traditional vessels and could cover the world’s oceans – and infiltrate shorelines, rivers, deltas and swamps, ready to unleash a Spiderweb-tyle drone attack on unsuspecting adversaries, in today's market environment.
Additionally, Crews of aircraft carriers may also need to be wary. One FPV strike is enough to destroy an aircraft on deck. Taking out 95% of the attacking drones and boats may not be enough.
Just as hobbyist drones have started to dominate land warfare, USVs that look bath toys may become surprisingly important at sea, given current economic conditions.
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