X-SUB Antenna
Expandable communication buoy for submarines
X-SUB buoys allow submarines at depth and speed to communicate over the surface without having to raise a periscopic communication antenna.
Once ejected outside the submarine, the buoy floats towards the surface and remains connected to the submarine with an optical fiber connection.
At the end of the communication, the X-SUB antennas scuttle and sink.
Stealth and efficient for secure communications
Stealth, broadband and deployable from the submarine, the X-SUB expandable communication buoy guarantees secure communications while limiting the submarine’s visual footprint on the surface.
Over the years, the X-SUB system has proved its reliability in numerous sea trials, and is used by French submarine forces for operational missions.
Designed for optimum efficiency on operational missions
10 kHz to 3 GHz
Reception frequencies (RX)
10 MHz to 2 GHz
Transmission frequencies (TX)
Wideband transmission and reception
The X-SUB portfolio is made up of two expendable communication buoys:
- The RF WideBand X-SUB, allowing Rx and Tx radiocommunication
- The Iridium X-SUB, enabling satellite communication (Rx and Tx, voice and data)
Optimum operating compatibility
The services associated with each buoy can be received from the submarine and managed from the submarine’s operations center or from a ground control system (GCS) :
- AIS and ADSB status
- GPS position
- Tactical data link
- V/UHF communications
Easy to integrate into a system of systems
Optimised for stealth and secure underwater communication, the X-SUB antenna is interoperable within a system of systems, including for example ALSEAMAR’s Buoyant Wire Antenna (BWA445) and MURENE Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV).
Technical data
RF Wideband - Rx & Tx
| Range ECB – Sub | Frequency range | Depth | Communication time at 2 Knots | Communication time at 4 Knots | |
| 3 inches | OF Wire 3 km |
Rx: 10 kHz to 3 GHz Tx: 100 MHz to 2 GHz |
Up to 300 m | 50 min | 25 min |
| 4 inches | OF Wire 7 km |
Rx: 10 kHz to 3 GHz Tx: 100 MHz to 2 GHz |
Up to 300 m | 110 min | 55 min |
| 3 inches | 4 inches | |
| Range ECB – Sub | OF Wire 3 km | OF Wire 7 km |
| Frequency range |
Rx : 10 kHz to 3 GHz Tx : 100 MHz to 2 GHz |
Rx : 10 kHz to 3 GHz Tx : 100 MHz to 2 GHz |
| Depth | Up to 300m | Up to 300m |
| Communication time at 2 knots | 50 min | 110 min |
| Communication time at 4 knots | 25 min | 55 min |
SAT Iridium - Rx & Tx
| Range ECB – Sub | Frequency range | Depth | Communication time at 2 knots | Communication time at 4 knots | |
| 3 inches | OF Wire 3 km | SAT All Iridium Services | Up to 300 m | 50 min | 25 min |
| 4 inches | OF Wire 7 km | SAT All Iridium Services | Up to 300 m | 110 min | 55 min |
| 3 inches | 4 inches | |
| Range ECB – Sub | OF Wire 3 km | OF Wire 7 km |
| Frequency range |
SAT All Iridium Services |
SAT All Iridium Services |
| Depth | Up to 300m | Up to 300m |
| Communication time at 2 knots | 50 min | 110 min |
| Communication time at 4 knots | 25 min | 55 min |