Ghost Shark (submarine)

Last updated

Class overview
Builders Anduril Industries and Defence Science and Technology Group
Operators
Built2022–present
Planned3 (prototypes)
Completed3
Active3
General characteristics
Type Autonomous underwater vehicle
LengthOver 5.8 m (est.)
DraughtOver 2 m (est.)
NotesInformation on the design has not been publicly released. [1]

The Ghost Shark (also known as Ghost Shark XL-AUV) is an extra large autonomous underwater vehicle being jointly developed by Anduril Industries and the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Three submarines have been ordered for the Royal Australian Navy and one for the United States Navy. The first of the submarines was publicly revealed in April 2024.

Contents

Project history

Anduril Industries signed a contract with the Royal Australian Navy and the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) in May 2022. Under this contract the company is required to produce three prototype autonomous submarines over three years. It is intended for a design that is suitable for manufacturing to be ready by mid-2025. [1] The submarines were named the 'Ghost Shark' in December 2022. [2] The project forms part of initiatives to modernise the RAN, complements crewed platforms, and will be sovereign Australian technology built in Australia. A number of other projects are also being undertaken to develop autonomous and uncrewed systems for the Australian Defence Force. [3]

The first prototype Ghost Shark, which is designated 'Alpha', was publicly revealed in Sydney in April 2024. [4] At this time, Anduril Australia and Defence stated that the project was running on budget and ahead of schedule. [5] During the unveiling event, Anduril's senior vice president engineering stated that trials of the type had been underway "for some time", though he was unable to disclose for how long. [1]

The Australian Defence Magazine has reported that the ADV Guidance auxiliary ship was likely acquired, in part, to support Ghost Shark trials. [6]

In mid-2024, a Ghost Shark was flown to Hawaii on board a RAAF Boeing C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft during Exercise RIMPAC. The submarine will be used for trials in the United States. [7] In August 2024, the Australian Government and Anduril reached an agreement to co-fund initial preparations for Ghost Sharks to be produced in large numbers in Australia. [8]

On 20 August 2025, the Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, announced the Australian DoD is currently engaged in negotiating full rate production of the Ghost Shark XL-AUV. The fast-tracked decision to expand the program from a Systems Design & Development (SDD) stage directly to production was revealed after the contract to build three prototypes was delivered a year earlier than scheduled, and more than satisfied with the capability demonstrated, Government has the confidence to enter into full rate production by the end of 2025.

Design

Unlike conventional crewed submarines, the Ghost Shark XL-AUV will not have a conventional pressure hull, but will instead incorporate a 'flooded' design inside the hull spaces, with waterproof zones for key propulsion and navigation systems and payloads. This improves range and endurance, due to power supply and propulsion advantages, and allows the AUV to operate at extreme depths.

Anduril leveraged technology developed for the company's Dive-LD AUV, with the Ghost Shark's capability built upon an advanced AI / machine learning software framework known as Lattice, which controls the submersible's propulsion and navigation as well as its mission decision-making.

While no specifications have been released, the prototype revealed at Fleet Base East, Sydney Harbour was more than two metres high and much longer than its predecessor, the Anduril Dive-LD at 5.8 metres long.

Role and characteristics

The Department of Defence has stated that the Ghost Shark will provide a "stealthy, long-range autonomous undersea warfare capability that can conduct persistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike, and enhance Navy’s ability to operate with allies and partners". [5]

Details of the submarine's characteristics and intended missions have not been publicly released as of April 2024, [1] however AUVs are expected to augment Navy's submarine fleet by relieving crewed boats of resource-hungry, clandestine, submerged ISR and SIGINT missions, as well as potential deployment of seabed sentries and some offensive missions such as covert sea mine laying.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Tucker, Patrick (22 April 2024). "Australia got a new sub drone far faster than the US Navy could have, company says". Defense One. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  2. "Ghost Shark a stealthy 'game-changer'". Department of Defence. 14 December 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  3. "First autonomous undersea vehicle 'Ghost Shark' prototype ready". Asia-Pacific Defence Reporter. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  4. Hartigan, Brian (19 April 2024). "Ghost Shark 'Alpha' unveiled in Sydney". Contact magazine. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  5. 1 2 "Defence and Anduril unveil first Ghost Shark prototype". Australian Defence Magazine. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  6. Felton, Ben (11 April 2023). "Defence confirms undersea support vessel - Australian Defence Magazine". Australian Defence Magazine. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  7. "Ghost Shark XL-AUV Arrives in the United States". Naval News. 20 August 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  8. Kuper, Stephen (15 August 2024). "Anduril Australia set to build Australian Ghost Shark factory". www.defenceconnect.com.au. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  9. Australiandefence.com.au, Latest Speartooth trials complete and production-ready