기타 후티 반군, UUV 운용 중

[위종민]

2월 18일 미 중부사령부가 예멘 주변 후티 반군 통제 해역에서 UUV를 파괴했다고 합니다. UUV의 출처는 당연히 이란이겠죠. 

탄도미사일과 순항미사일은 공격 빈도에 비해 실제적으로 표적이 된 선박에 큰 피해를 입히지 못했었는데 UUV라면 말이 달라지네요. 

https://news.usni.org/2024/02/19/houthi-lethal-underwater-drones-adds-new-threat-to-red-sea

Houthi Lethal Underwater Drones Adds New Threat to Red Sea 

H I SUTTON

FEBRUARY 19, 2024 12:15 PM

H I Sutton Graphic for USNI News

Merchant ships and warships in the Red Sea have been under frequent attacks from anti-ship cruise missiles, anti-ship ballistic missiles, explosive surface drones, and aerial drones. Now a new threat has emerged from underwater.

On Feb. 18, U.S. Central Command announced naval forces in the Red Sea destroyed an uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV) in Houthi-controlled waters around Yemen. This is the first time that the Houthi Movement has been observed operating UUVs since attacks began last October.

Just a few days earlier, CENTCOM issued a press release  about the January U.S. Coast Guard interdiction of a weapons shipment from Iran to the Houthis in Yemen. The catch included components for uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) and, notably, uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs), according to the photos released by CENTCOM. The weapon seizure connects Houthi’s UUV threat to Iranian-supplied vehicles and techniques.

Feb. 17 Summary of Red Sea activities

TAMPA, Fla. – Between the hours of 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Sanaa time), Feb. 17, CENTCOM successfully conducted five self-defense strikes against three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, one unmanned underwater vessel (UUV), and one unmanned… pic.twitter.com/TwR9RUmMMu

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 18, 2024

Iran has a long tradition of unconventional naval warfare which has become more refined in recent years. Many of these platforms are now uncrewed, including boats, aerial drones and underwater drones, based on images systems released by the Iranian government. Hamas has also touted its possession of UUVs in Gaza, according to images the armed group released in November as reported by Naval News.

The U.S, has not released details about the UUV destroyed by U.S. forces this week or the parts seized. The photographs released show a propeller (screw) section that is consistent with UUVs used by Iran.

The UUV, along with those seen in Iran, appears similar to a torpedo. orone-way attack underwater drone (OWA-AUVs). Generally, these have a greater range than a torpedo but are slower, making them most effective against static targets such as ships in port or at anchor. The type typically used in Iran, according to observers, can be fitted with a short mast, possibly to observe the target before attacking. It is possible that the device can be remotely operated by a wire, similar to wire-guided torpedoes. This would allow it to engage moving targets.

Iran may have previously used these against tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. Hamas has attempted to use similar vehicles against Israel’s offshore energy infrastructure, Israeli officials claimed in 2021.

Underwater weapons are inherently harder to detect and counter than surface vessels. They are more likely to surprise the target and can cause holes below the waterline which can be more damaging. They also require a different set of tactics for the escorting warships to counter them. Ukraine has amply demonstrated the effectiveness of explosive-laden surface drones (USVs) against Russian platforms. The Houthis have had less success, largely due to the presence of U.S. Navy and allied warships in the region.

Related

[백선호]

후티의 UUV는 '육지에서 쏘는, 아주 멀리 가는 어뢰'라고 보면 될까요?

[위종민]

미사일/폭탄과 배회탄약의 차이랑 비슷하네요. 유도는 어떻게 할 지 모르겠습니다. 외부에서 유도하려면 부상해야 하니 USV와 다를 게 없고.. 어뢰처럼 소나 달고 특정시간 뒤에 활성화시켜서 주변에서 가장 시끄러운 배를 노리도록 프로그래밍할 수는 있을 것 같네요.

[Minowski(김유철)]

수상함 전력도 없고 손상을 걱정해야하는 우군이나 중립선박의 활동자체가 없는 입장에서라면, 가장 큰 놈에게 동시에 여러발이 달려들 수 있도록 프로그램해놓고 쵸크포인트가 되는 해역에 기뢰처럼 던져놓고 잊어버려도 되는 물건도 생각해 볼 수 있을 것 같습니다.