Sea Baby is a Ukrainian naval unmanned surface vehicle developed and operated by the Security Service of Ukraine for long-range strike missions in the Black Sea. Official and open-source reporting shows it evolving from an explosive one-way attack craft into a modular USV family with mine-laying, Grad rocket, and KPV/KPVT machine-gun configurations, while Ukrainian sources describe a 1,000-kilometer baseline range and a later 1,500-kilometer class upgraded generation.
Operated by Ukraine's Security Service as a naval unmanned surface vehicle during the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War, including the July 2023 attack on the Crimean Bridge, strikes against Russian naval targets such as Olenegorsky Gornyak and the SIG tanker, and Grad-equipped Sea Baby attacks against Russian positions on the Kinburn Spit reported by United24 and Ukrainian media in May 2024.
Role detailsSea Baby is documented as a modular SBU unmanned surface vessel family rather than one fixed armament package; the rows separate the main source-backed configurations.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| Explosive strike configuration | One-way maritime strike craft | The SBU identified Sea Baby craft in the July 2023 Crimean Bridge attack and in attacks on Russian naval targets including Olenegorsky Gornyak and the SIG tanker. Sources: Sea drones are a unique SBU development, This is Battleship |
 | 122 mm rocket-armed configuration | United24 and Ukrainian reporting described Sea Baby craft equipped with Grad systems and used against Russian positions on the Kinburn Spit; the linked catalog record isolates that rocket-armed configuration. Sources: United24 Sea Baby Grad systems update, Source: SBU has a new weapon - Grad-equipped Sea Baby drones |
| Mine-laying configuration | Naval mine carrier | Covert Shores identifies imagery of Sea Baby carrying two MN-103 Manta bottom mines, with RPV-16 rockets also visible on some mine-carrying fits. |
| Sea Baby II machine-gun configuration | Remote weapon station configuration | Covert Shores identifies a Sea Baby II hull with radar and a 14.5 mm KPVT gun in a gyrostabilized remote weapon station. |
| Upgraded modular generation | Longer-range heavy-payload configuration | 2025 reporting on an SBU demonstration described upgraded Sea Baby variants with a 1,500 km class range, up to 2,000 kg payload, and rocket-launcher or machine-gun fits. Sources: Ukraine unveils upgraded 'Sea Baby' drone it says can strike anywhere in the Black Sea, Kyiv Post Sea Baby upgraded variants |
Some documented Sea Baby configurations carry mounted weapons instead of only an explosive charge or mine payload.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | 14.5 mm heavy machine gun | Covert Shores identifies a Sea Baby II hull with radar and a 14.5 mm KPVT gun in a gyrostabilized remote weapon station. |
The SBU said Sea Baby marine drones were used in the July 2023 attack on the Crimean Bridge and in strikes on Russian naval targets such as Olenegorsky Gornyak and the SIG tanker.
Sources: Sea drones are a unique SBU development
Wikimedia Commons hosts the SBU sea-trials video published on this date, which shows Sea Baby in operation during January 2024 sea trials and identifies the file as Creative Commons licensed from ssu.gov.ua.
Sources: Sea Baby unmanned surface vehicle undertaking sea trials.webm
United24 reported that SBU Sea Baby boats had been equipped with Grad systems and tested with the Ukrainian Navy against Russian positions on the Kinburn Spit.
Sources: United24 Sea Baby Grad systems update, Source: SBU has a new weapon - Grad-equipped Sea Baby drones
Euronews and Kyiv Post reported that Sea Baby had been expanded to a 1,500-kilometer range and 2,000-kilogram payload class, with demonstration variants fitted with a multiple-rocket launcher and a stabilized machine-gun turret.
Sources: Ukraine unveils upgraded 'Sea Baby' drone it says can strike anywhere in the Black Sea, Kyiv Post Sea Baby upgraded variants
Sea Baby moved quickly from a one-way strike craft into a more modular surface vessel. The table separates the documented configurations so the payload shift is easy to scan.
| Configuration | Source-backed detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 strike craft | The SBU said Sea Baby was used against the Crimean Bridge and Russian naval targets in July 2023. | Shows the system was already being used for long-range maritime strike. |
| Mine and small-rocket fit | Covert Shores identifies Sea Baby imagery with MN-103 Manta bottom mines and RPV-16 rockets. | Adds a mine-warfare and close-range rocket payload path beyond the explosive charge. |
| United24 and Ukrainian reporting described Sea Baby craft equipped with Grad systems and used against Russian positions on the Kinburn Spit. | Demonstrates a rocket-armed coastal strike role from an unmanned surface vessel. |
| Sea Baby II machine-gun fit | Covert Shores identifies a Sea Baby II hull with radar and a 14.5 mm KPVT remote weapon station. | Shows a reusable armed USV role suited to engaging surface or aerial threats rather than only ramming targets. |
| 2025 modular upgrade | Euronews and Kyiv Post reported a 1,500-kilometer range, 2,000-kilogram payload, and demonstration variants fitted with rocket and machine-gun weapons. | Indicates a heavier, longer-range generation with multiple combat configurations. |
