The Talisman mini-submarine can be pre-programmed or operated by remote control to collect imagery, signals or sonar intelligence and then go on to destroy the targets it has identified.

It can also be fitted with missiles and with other much smaller unmanned mini-submarines which it can send out to collect intelligence or to search out and destroy the targets.

BAE Systems, which has developed the Talisman, said the mini-submarine would be ideal for special operations. It could also be deployed to protect coastlines and installations such as oil rigs.

“If you look at the likely missions, they are more likely to be clandestine,” said Andy Tonge, the Talisman project manager. “The likelihood of anyone detecting it is very, very low.”

Details of the previously highly classified Talisman “autonomous underwater vehicle” (AUV) emerged last week at a special operations conference in Jordan attended by representatives from the world’s leading special forces.

The BAE Systems Talisman mini-submarine, which was produced from a concept to a working system in less than a year, uses stealth technology developed for military aircraft to ensure that it cannot be easily detected.

Its 14ft hull and its internal compartments, which house the electronics suites and payload, are made of carbon-fibre composite, giving it its stealth and easy manoeuvrability.

It uses satellite communications or underwater acoustics communications to link up with its controller and weighs just under two tons.

Powered by batteries, it can remain on operations for about 24 hours but this could be dramatically extended if diesel generators were fitted to re-charge the batteries.

Talisman could be launched up to 50 miles off shore by a destroyer or a military transport aircraft such as the C130 Hercules. But the ideal covert launch vehicle would be a larger submarine.

BAE Systems is building the new Astute-class attack submarine for the Royal Navy which would provide an ideal launch vehicle. The Royal Navy is expected to turn Astute into a multi-purpose submarine. The “all-singing, all-dancing” Astute would be capable of firing Trident nuclear missiles and TLAM cruise missiles, carrying out extensive intelligence gathering and launching special forces operations.

Talisman could not replace the SBS swimmer delivery vehicle, which is used to insert troops, but it could reduce the level of risk by improving intelligence gathering and removing obstacles such as mines. The commanding officer of the SBS, Lieutenant-Colonel Richard van der Horst, died a year ago after he ran out of oxygen while trying to get out of a four-man swimmer delivery vehicle.

Talisman has carried out secret trials around the UK’s coastline, all of which have been successful, BAE Systems said last week.

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