Defence aircraft

Increased effects

To great effect during WWII, seaplanes played many ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance), Anti-Submarine Warfare (ISW), Search & Rescue (SAR) and personnel transport roles. The switch to helicopters in Europe and the USA was contentious and removed much capability from defence organisations. Enabling step-change increases in performance and seaworthiness in both crewed and uncrewed seaplanes, Ocean seaplane technology has the potential to swing the balance back.

Both purpose-built GULL UAVs and the crewed civil Ocean seaplane platforms will be usable for defence. They will be able to carry both aerial and surface payloads to enable dual effects in a single system that offers both longer reach and quicker response for surface effects than is possible with VTOL options. Time on station can be effectively indefinite using dwell on water in alert listening/observation mode. They will excel at the dull, dirty and dangerous missions that crewed assets dread. They will enable surface effects where boats can not operate, including in defended littoral waters, on the far side of land masses and where low surface vessel speeds prevent timely actions. Their net operating costs will be much lower than VTOL and (more so) combinations of VTOL and surface vehicles needed to complete many types of missions.

Ocean's GULL unmanned platforms have already proven capabilities suiting emerging defence requirements and CONOPS.

Universal vessel interfacing

Both GULL UAV and Ocean seaplanes will be able to interface with any small or large vessel, and subject to stowage space, launch and recover to any ship. They will be able to fly and taxi at speed to engagement points, doing so;

In a wide range of sea conditions
With no requirement to change a ship's heading or speed (as for types of aerial assets).
Without any bolt-on launch or recovery equipment or flight deck
Using only standard ship equipment and practices
Without imposition on ship’s immediate airspace or other aerial assets
Recovering at leisure in locating for recovery according to ship’s convenience

Defence applications

In crewed or uncrewed GULL UAV seaplanes, defence applications can include:

Support activities for ships and both surface and sub-surface small-craft
Clandestine insertion and extraction of Special Forces
Long-range transfer of specialist personnel between field, shore and vessels offshore
Combat SAR services and casualty transfer
Aerial and water-based surveillance and early warning
Anti-Submarine Warfare using dual airborne and surface payloads
Mine Warfare including surveying and provision of intelligence prior to assault,and minefield clearance.
Positive target location, identification and interdiction at long range