River Whale
An autonomous unmanned surface vessel (USV) preventing casualties during riverine operations. Made to run logistics and enable medical evacuations, without the unnecessary risk for human lives. Thermal and day cameras, autonomous Starlink waypoint navigation and radio control for close range manoeuvring. Currently in operational service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Specifications
- Hull
- Whaly 455R, open hull
- Dimensions
- 4.50 m L × 1.75 m W × 0.85–1.01 m H
- Draft
- 0.25 m
- Payload
- Up to 850 kg
- Propulsion
- 50HP four-stroke outboard, gasoline
- Engine option
- 70HP outboard
- Range
- 55–270 km, fuel-dependent (25–100 L)
- Cruise speed
- 8–22 kn (15–41 km/h)
- Top speed
- 27 kn (50 km/h) · 70HP: ~32 kn (60 km/h)
- Control
- Gas + steering, teleoperated
- Optics
- FLIR thermal + day PTZ camera
- Primary link
- Starlink — unlimited range
- Backup link
- Short-range RF
- Navigation
- GNSS + Starlink constellation backup
- Status
- In operational service
Mission Profile
Primary role: Unmanned resupply and medical evacuation across contested water. The River Whale exists because Ukrainian marines on the Dnipro needed a boat that could make the crossing to bring ammunition, food and water in, and take wounded out without risking human lives.
Secondary roles: Littoral reconnaissance, harbour security and rapid response in contested coastal waters. Low signature, low cost-per-unit, fast to field.
Engine options: The standard fit is a 50HP gasoline outboard. A 70HP outboard is available on request, raising top speed to roughly 32 kn.
Payload & IO integration: The control stack carries spare inputs and outputs for actuators, motors and additional sensors. Source code to drive those channels can be provided on request, so a unit can integrate its own payloads.
The platform has been refined through direct operator feedback from Ukrainian crews and has been tested where it matters.
Request Capability BriefDeck Layout — Whaly 455R
Top view of the 455R hull: flat full-length load floor, moulded side benches and integrated rubbing strake with lifting handles. The open deck is what allows an 850 kg payload, be it stretchers, jerrycans or ammunition crates, to be loaded and lashed anywhere along the centreline.
Transport & Launch
The River Whale ships on a single-axle road trailer and can be towed behind any regular vehicle. Launch and recovery work from any slipway or shallow bank.
The sensor mast, outboard and control box stay fitted during transport, so a crew can arrive, back down the ramp and be on the water without reassembly.