The Russian factory "Oshkoynik" announced the start of serial production of the "Scorlopa" (Shell) boats, which are considered the first unmanned boats of their kind in the world that are controlled via fiber optic cables.
Yevgeny Mandelstam, an advisor to the factory's general manager, pointed out that Russia has achieved a qualitative leap in naval military technology through the production of these boats, as control via fiber optic cables makes them immune to jamming and electronic warfare.
Mandelstam said in a statement on the subject: "The project has entered an accelerated development cycle, bypassing the lengthy stage of developing individual prototypes. The first twenty boats have been manufactured according to approved serial production documentation. While similar foreign models remain prototypes for years, Russian production of these boats has started directly on the assembly line."
According to Mandelstam, innovation is not limited to speed of production, but extends to unique control systems and secretive supply chain engineering, as the boat's construction plan was designed so that even the parts suppliers have no information about the final destination of their products.
The "Scorlopa" boat can be relied upon to carry out various tasks for the benefit of the naval forces, as it can be used as a suicide boat, to intercept enemy suicide boats, in maritime reconnaissance and surveillance operations, or to carry drones.
