BlueWhale
A large Israeli-developed AUV with German sonar integration and a documented German Navy handover.
- Country / region
- Israel / Germany
- Programme status
- In service / use documented
- Sources reviewed
- 20 Sept 2026
- Primary domain
- Underwater
- System type
- Autonomous underwater vehicle
- Developer / manufacturer
- Israel Aerospace Industries / ELTA; TKMS ATLAS ELEKTRONIK integration
- Origin / production countries
- Israel / Germany
- Other names
- ELI-3325; Blue Whale
- Variants / configurations
- Named configuration; see the evidence and specification notes
- Operators / programme customers
- German Navy — delivered February 2026
Evidence & current status
Status records a documented customer handover and trials, not a blanket statement of full operational readiness. Brochure maxima describe the product configuration and are not automatically the delivered German fit.
Role & capabilities
- Autonomous maritime reconnaissance
- Acoustic data collection
- Seabed mine detection
Specifications in context
- Configuration
- Large autonomous underwater vehicle
Published specification for the cited configuration; payload, environment and speed affect performance.
Source ↗ - Hull / propulsion
- Battery-electric
Published specification for the cited configuration; payload, environment and speed affect performance.
Source ↗ - Dimensions
- 10.9 m long; 1.12 m diameter
Published specification for the cited configuration; payload, environment and speed affect performance.
Source ↗ - Displacement / mass
- 5.5 tonnes
Published specification for the cited configuration; payload, environment and speed affect performance.
Source ↗ - Payload
- Not established in the reviewed public sources.
Public data gap; no estimate or neighbouring variant value substituted.
Source ↗ - Endurance
- 10–30 days
Brochure range depends on mission and battery configuration.
Source ↗ - Range
- Not established in the reviewed public sources.
Public data gap; no estimate or neighbouring variant value substituted.
Source ↗ - Speed
- Typical 2–3 knots; maximum 7 knots submerged
Published specification for the cited configuration; payload, environment and speed affect performance.
Source ↗ - Operating depth
- Not established in the reviewed public sources.
Public data gap; no estimate or neighbouring variant value substituted.
Source ↗ - Sensors
- Mission-dependent sonar, radar, electro-optical and other sensing equipment
Published specification for the cited configuration; payload, environment and speed affect performance.
Source ↗ - Communications / control
- Autonomous control; satellite communications when suitable surface link is available
Published specification for the cited configuration; payload, environment and speed affect performance.
Source ↗ - Launch / deployment
- Transportable in a 40-foot container; deployment equipment configuration dependent
Published specification for the cited configuration; payload, environment and speed affect performance.
Source ↗