Large unmanned undersea vehicle

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A large unmanned undersea vehicle (LUUV or XLUUV) is a large unmanned underwater vehicle. They're a class of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) that are significantly larger than traditional AUVs, which are typically used for tasks like surveying or mine countermeasures. Unlike smaller AUVs, XLUUVs are designed to operate for extended periods and carry larger payloads over vast distances without direct human control.

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Design and characteristics

XLUUVs are characterized by their size and endurance. While there's no official standard for what constitutes "extra-large," these vehicles are generally over 10 m (32 ft 10 in) in length. This allows them to carry a variety of payloads, including sensors, weapons, or other robotic systems. Their long endurance, often measured in months, is achieved through efficient hull designs, advanced propulsion systems, and large battery or fuel cell power sources.

Primary roles and applications

The primary purpose of XLUUVs is to operate in environments that are too dangerous or difficult for manned submarines. Their key applications include:

The development of XLUUVs is a key area of research for navies around the world, particularly as they seek to expand their undersea capabilities with autonomous and cost-effective platforms.

(X)LUUV projects

ProjectOriginDesigner and/or BuilderPlanned operatorsStatusSource
Ghost Shark Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia Anduril Industries Naval Ensign of Australia.svg  Royal Australian Navy
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Navy
In production
SeaWolf Cellula Robotics
Royal Australian Navy
Naval Ensign of Australia.svg  Royal Australian Navy In development
Speartooth C2 Robotics In development [1]
Solus-XR Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada Cellula Robotics Naval ensign of Canada.svg  Royal Canadian Navy In development [2]
AJX-002 Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China Naval ensign of China.svg  People's Liberation Army Navy [3] [4]
HSU-001 [5]
HSU-100 [3]
UUV-300 [3] [4]
UCUV Flag of France.svg France Naval Group Civil and Naval Ensign of France.svg  French Navy In development [6]
MUM Flag of Germany.svg Germany TKMS n/aStudy [7]
Kapal Selam Otonom Flag of Indonesia.svg Indonesia PT PAL Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesian Navy In development [8]
BlueWhale Flag of Israel.svg Israel ELTA Systems Naval Ensign of Israel.svg  Israeli Navy In development [9]
LUUV Flag of Japan.svg Japan Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Naval Ensign of Japan.svg  Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force In development [10]
Cephalopod Flag of Russia.svg Russia Rubin design bureau Naval Jack of Russia.svg  Russian Navy In development [11]
Harpsichord-2P-PM Rosoboronexport In development [12]
Sarma-D Lazurit Central Design Bureau In development [13]
Combat XLUUV Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea Hanwha Ocean Flag of the Republic of Korea Navy.svg  Republic of Korea Navy In development [14]
LUUV Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden Saab Kockums Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg  Swedish Navy In development [15]
Hui Long Flag of the Republic of China.svg Taiwan National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology
Lungteh Shipbuilding
Flag of the Republic of China.svg  Republic of China Navy In operation
Black WhaleLongteh ShipbuildingIn development [16]
XLUUV Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey Dearsan Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkish Naval Forces In development [17]
Cetus Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom MSubs Naval ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy In development [18]
Herne BAE Systems In development [19]
Manta MSubs n/aExperimental [20]
Echo Voyager Flag of the United States.svg United States Boeing Phantom Works n/aExperimental
Orca Boeing
Huntington Ingalls Industries
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Navy In development [21]

See also

References

  1. "C2 Robotics Speartooth LUUV Hits Capability Milestones at Navy's Autonomous Warrior Event". Naval News. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  2. "Cellula Robotics Initiates Sea Trials of its Solus-XR XLUUV". Naval News. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 "Chinese Military Parade Details New Naval Missiles, Drones". Naval News. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  4. 1 2 "What The World Is About To Learn About China's Extra-Large Underwater Drones". Naval News. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  5. "Chinese HSU-001 LDUUV". H I Sutton. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  6. "Naval Group unveiled a new LUUV and other solutions at the 5th edition of its Naval Innovation Days". European Defense Review. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  7. "TKMS Presents the Results of its 'MUM' Modular XLUUV Study". Naval News. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  8. "PT PAL Indonesia Unveils Its Latest Autonomous Submarine Design". Naval News. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  9. "IAI's New BlueWhale XLUUV Breaks Cover". Naval News. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  10. "DSEI Japan 2025: Japan's navy tests long-endurance UUV". Janes. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  11. "Russian 'Cephalopod' Armed Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) program". H I Sutton. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  12. "Russian Harpsichord (Klavesin) large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles carried by nuclear submarines". H I Sutton. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  13. "Russia's answer to the U.S. Navy's Orca XLUUV: Sarma-D". H I Sutton. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  14. "Hanwha Ocean Unveils Combat XLUUV". Naval News. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  15. "Saab to develop LUUV large autonomous submarine for Sweden". Naval News. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  16. "Taiwan's Black Whale XLUUV". H.I. Sutton. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  17. "Dearsan unveils Submarine for Amphibious Operations, XLUUV". Naval News. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  18. "UK's CETUS XLUUV launched by MSubs in Plymouth". Naval News. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  19. "Up close with HERNE – BAE Systems' XLUAV concept". Navy Lookout. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  20. "Progress report: Manta – the Royal Navy's experimental autonomous submarine". Navy Lookout. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  21. "Boeing Delivers First Orca XLUUV to U.S. Navy". Naval News. Retrieved 15 September 2025.