MSPO 2025: Stormrider Combat Drone Boat Strengthens Polish Navy Maritime Security.

At the MSPO 2025 exhibition, Poland’s WB Group officially presented the Stormrider, an unmanned surface vessel designed for reconnaissance and strike missions. Developed in just nine months, the program already has prototypes undergoing tests in the Baltic Sea, reflecting a rapid pace of implementation. Inspired by Ukraine’s experience against the Russian Black Sea Fleet, the Stormrider represents Poland’s effort to strengthen its capabilities in asymmetric naval warfare.
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The Stormider Combat Drone Boat standard armament consists of the remotely controlled ZMU-05N weapon station armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun, developed by Arex (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The vessel, developed by Radmor, a WB Group subsidiary, measures 8.5 meters in length and 3 meters in width, with a displacement exceeding three tons. It is designed to operate in sea states 3 to 5 and is powered by a combustion engine coupled with a waterjet system. Its size allows deployment from frigates, such as the future Miecznik-class vessels, or from patrol ships operated by the navy and border guard. The hull design draws on the expertise of Polish shipyards specialized in yachts and fast craft. The system can be optionally manned, allowing use during testing phases or in areas where regulations require a human presence on board.

The reconnaissance suite includes a navigation radar, sonar, echo sounder, and a high-resolution electro-optical turret operating both day and night. Additional equipment includes a laser rangefinder and an EO/IR camera mounted on a mast. These systems enable maritime situational awareness, target identification, and strike assessment. According to technical data, the Stormrider has an operational range of approximately 500 kilometers, making it suitable for extended patrols of sensitive maritime areas.

Its standard armament consists of the remotely controlled ZMU-05N weapon station armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun, developed by Arex. The module incorporates electro-optical observation systems that enhance autonomous engagement capabilities. The vessel can also be fitted with WARMATE loitering munitions in TL-R and TL-C versions, allowing long-range strikes, along with X-FRONTER reconnaissance-attack drones in V and H variants, carried in sealed launch tubes on board. This combination equips the Stormrider to perform both surveillance and offensive tasks.

The system is designed for a broad mission profile. It can support reconnaissance, naval operations, protection of critical infrastructure, and maritime surveillance. In force protection roles, it can establish security zones around ships, ports, or anchorages, and respond rapidly to threats from fast surface craft. Its modular design also allows the integration of payloads for electronic warfare, environmental data collection, and detection of chemical, biological, or radiological contamination.

The Stormrider is also intended for cooperation with special operations forces. It can provide fire support, transport equipment and supplies, carry out medical evacuation in contested areas, or operate in specific environments such as the Vistula Lagoon or riverine zones. WB Group highlights its compatibility with other systems developed by the company, including the TOPAZ management system, WARMATE loitering munitions, and ZMU modules, ensuring integration into a broader operational network.

Initial testing has focused on the platform, propulsion, gyroscopic stabilization, and power systems. The next stage will assess performance in higher sea states up to 5, as well as communication reliability. The designers emphasize the pursuit of high automation, supported by artificial intelligence, while adhering to international maritime law.

The Stormrider represents a new generation of unmanned naval systems developed to address current maritime security challenges. With its sensors, modular armament, and operational versatility, it provides the Polish Navy with a tool for reconnaissance, strike, and protection missions in contested environments. WB Group intends to adapt the system to national requirements while positioning it as a potential export solution for other navies facing similar threats.