AquaWing – Fixed-Wing VTOL UAV as a Sensor Carrier for Nearshore Underwater Situational Awareness
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Fabel Kommunikation AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 405 000 |
| Project duration | November 2026 - October 2027 |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Venture | Civil-military synergies |
| Call | Support to small and medium-sized enterprises for testing and evaluating technology solutions that contribute to defense innovation |
Purpose and goal
The project uses external technical infrastructure to verify whether a fixed-wing VTOL UAV can operate from the water surface as a stable, distributed sensor carrier for underwater situational awareness in coastal and archipelago environments. The goal is to determine the concept’s technical and operational viability through measurable tests of flotation, water sealing, sensor integration and data link and deliver a decision base for further development toward maritime application.
Expected effects and result
The project delivers an independent test report with measurement data against five goals: flotation, sensor function, water sealing, data communication and a development plan. Expected effects: decision support for further development with defense industry partners, strengthened Swedish capacity in unmanned maritime and airborne systems, and a distributed mobile sensor capability that can give naval and amphibious units better situational awareness in coastal areas.
Planned approach and implementation
The project runs as a 12-month verification project in four phases: (1) test design, requirements and agreements; (2) subsystem preparation with airframe adaptation, sensor integration and water sealing; (3) test and evaluation at Firma Daniel Katebi as technical infrastructure, with stepwise measurements across winter, spring and summer conditions; (4) analysis, report and roadmap. Fabel Kommunikation AB coordinates; Firma Daniel Katebi delivers infrastructure and construction.