It can conduct a wide variety of tasks including mine countermeasures, anti‑submarine warfare, electronic warfare and more.
By Hezy Laing
Elbit’s Seagull USV is a 12‑meter, 2,500‑kilogram payload unmanned surface vessel capable of operating for more than 96 hours at sea, making it one of the most advanced naval drones in service today.
Developed by Elbit Systems of Israel and first unveiled at the Singapore Airshow in 2016, the Seagull was designed to tackle missions traditionally considered too dangerous for manned crews.
It can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h and is equipped with modular payload suites that allow rapid switching between roles such as mine countermeasures (MCM), anti‑submarine warfare (ASW), electronic warfare (EW), hydrography, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and maritime security.
In March 2016, Elbit successfully demonstrated the Seagull’s mine‑hunting capabilities in the Mediterranean using the Klein 5900 multi‑beam side‑scan sonar, and later integrated the Kraken Active Towed Fish (KATFISH) sonar system for advanced seabed mapping.
The need for such technology today is acute.
Global navies face rising threats from sophisticated submarines, tethered and floating mines, and electronic attacks.
The global naval drone market was valued at USD 1.2 billion in 2024, reflecting strong demand for unmanned naval systems.
By removing human crews from high‑risk missions, Seagull reduces casualties and operational costs while providing persistent coverage in contested waters.
Compared to competitors, Seagull’s versatility is unique.
The U.S. Navy’s Sea Hunter focuses primarily on ASW, while European navies field smaller single‑role mine countermeasure drones.
Seagull integrates all these functions into one platform, controlled from a single mission system, giving it a decisive edge in flexibility and efficiency.
Countries using or evaluating Seagull include Israel, which deploys it to secure Mediterranean approaches; NATO members, who have signed contracts with Elbit for mine clearance and ASW missions; and Gulf states, where the vessel was showcased at NAVDEX in Abu Dhabi in 2025, highlighting interest in protecting strategic waterways.
In summary, the Seagull USV combines long endurance, high payload capacity, modular mission suites, and proven sonar systems to deliver unmatched multi‑mission capability.
Its adoption by Israel, NATO allies, and Gulf partners underscores how unmanned naval technology is reshaping maritime security in an era of evolving threats.
