Extra Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (XLUUVs) are large, autonomous underwater vehicles that are designed for a variety of missions. The primary missions of XLUUVs today involve non-lethal assignments, such as mine countermeasures (MCM), hydrographic survey, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), and mapping. XLUUVs are more efficient, cost-effective, and safer to operate than manned platforms and divers.
XLUUVs can be deployed from ships or shores on missions that require extended periods of time without the need for a human crew in dangerous areas at a considerably lower cost. Unmanned systems offer inherent benefits, which has led to a steadily growing interest worldwide. Consequently, several navies, including the US, UK, France, Russia, and China, are currently procuring XLUUVs for mine laying and MCM missions. Depending on the pace of AI development and communication underwater, XLUUVs can be used for lethal missions, including anti-submarine and surface warfare, in the near future. XLUUVs can be powered by a variety of means, including batteries, fuel cells, and internal combustion engines. They can be controlled remotely by operators on the surface or can be programmed to follow a predetermined course or mission plan.
What are the benefits of XLUUVs compared to manned vehicles?
XLUUVs offer a number of advantages over manned underwater vehicles, including the ability to operate for longer periods of time, at greater depths, and in hazardous or inhospitable environments.
There are several benefits to using Extra Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (XLUUVs) instead of manned vehicles:
- Safety: XLUUVs can be used to perform tasks in environments that are too dangerous or impractical for human divers, such as at very deep depths or in hazardous conditions.
- Cost: XLUUVs can be less expensive to operate than manned vehicles, as they do not require a human crew and associated support equipment and logistics.
- Endurance: XLUUVs can operate for extended periods of time without the need for a human crew, allowing them to cover larger areas or perform tasks for longer periods.
- Payload capacity: XLUUVs can carry larger payloads than manned vehicles, allowing them to be equipped with a wider range of sensors and instruments.
- Flexibility: XLUUVs can be programmed to follow predetermined mission plans or can be controlled remotely, allowing for greater flexibility in their operations.
XLUUVs offer several benefits compared to manned vehicles, particularly in terms of cost, endurance, and flexibility. However, it is important to note that XLUUVs are not suitable for all tasks and may not be able to replace manned vehicles in all situations.
What are the challenges in developing XLUUVs?
On the other hand, several challenges can be encountered in the development and deployment of XLUUVs. Some of these challenges include:
- Size and weight: XLUUVs are typically large and heavy, which can make them difficult to transport and deploy.
- Power and propulsion: XLUUVs need to have sufficient power and propulsion systems to allow them to operate for long periods of time and cover large distances.
- Communication and navigation: XLUUVs need to be able to communicate with their operators and navigate their environment, which can be challenging in the underwater environment due to the limited range of radio waves and the complexity of underwater navigation.
- Sensors and instruments: XLUUVs need to be equipped with a variety of sensors and instruments to perform their various tasks, which can be expensive and require specialized expertise to develop and maintain.
- Cost: XLUUVs can be expensive to develop and operate, which can be a hurdle for some organizations.
- Regulations: There may be regulatory challenges, such as killer robots, to overcome in order to deploy XLUUVs, particularly in military or commercial applications.
- The development of XLUUVs requires significant technological and logistical expertise, as well as the ability to overcome a range of technical and regulatory challenges.
Worldwide Developments in XLUUVs
US Navy
The US Navy’s XLUUV program, also known as the Orca program, was established to address a Joint Emergent Operational Need (JEON). The Orca is a large, autonomous underwater vehicle developed by Boeing for military and commercial applications. It is designed for a variety of missions, including intelligence gathering, mine countermeasures, and surveillance. XLUUVs are too large to be launched from a manned the Navy submarine, so they will be transported to a forward operating port and launched from a pier. The Orca XLUUV is powered by a hybrid electric propulsion system and can operate at depths of up to 11,000 feet (3,353 meters). It has a range of more than 6,500 nautical miles (12,000 kilometers) and can operate for up to 70 days without the need for refueling or maintenance.
The US Navy plans to use underwater vehicles called XLUUVs to deploy covertly deploy the Hammerhead mine. This mine will be anchored to the sea floor and have a torpedo designed to target submarines. The Navy bought five prototype XLUUVs in 2019, and will buy more in the future. The Navy’s budget for 2024 includes buying three more XLUUVs, one in 2026 for $113.3 million, one in 2027 for $115.6 million, and one in 2028 for $117.9 million. The Navy says it may start making more XLUUVs in 2026 if government testing goes well.
After accelerating the pace of the ORCA XLUUV program, advanced navies, including the UK Royal Navy, PLA Navy, and South Korean Navy, are procuring XLUUV for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and mine countermeasure (MCM) missions.
The UK Royal Navy
In 2019, Plymouth-based tech firm MSubs won a contract to build and test an XLUUV for the UK Royal Navy. The XLUUV is based on the Company’s MANTA design and will be used for surveillance, reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare operations. The UK Ministry of Defence has invested £2.5 million in the development of the XLUUV. MSubs has built a test submarine in cooperation with DASA, Dstl, and the Royal Navy. The prototype vehicle will be 30 feet long, able to operate at a range of 3000 nautical miles, and carry a 2-tonne payload. It is used to explore the potential capabilities of larger uncrewed underwater vehicles in the future.
Later, the Royal Navy awarded a £15.4 million contract in December 2022 to MSubs for the Cetus XLUUV. This unmanned submarine will be the largest and most complex operated by a European navy. The XLUUV will be delivered in two years and will enhance the UK’s ability to protect critical national infrastructure and monitor sub-sea activity, with a maximum operational depth exceeding that of the current submarine fleet. The unarmed vessel is battery-powered and modular, with an optional section that can double its capacity. It will fit inside a shipping container and can operate with all ships from the Royal Navy fleet and allies.
Cetus will work alongside crewed submarines or independently. It will be 12 metres long, weigh 17 tonnes, and have a maximum operational depth exceeding that of the current submarine fleet. The vessel is being designed and built by Plymouth-based tech firm MSubs, and its modular design allows for the hull and payload bay to be extended. The unarmed vessel is battery-powered and can cover up to 1,000 miles in a single mission. Cetus is the latest step taken by the Royal Navy into autonomous systems, and the contract is funded by the Anti-Submarine Warfare Spearhead programme.
French Navy XLUUV
The French Navy operates a fleet of Extra Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (XLUUVs) for a variety of purposes, including mine countermeasures, surveillance, and intelligence gathering. In 2021, the French Navy’s main supplier, Naval Group, unveiled its Extra Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (XLUUV) demonstrator to the public for the first time. The XLUUV is 10 meters long, but can be scaled up to 25 meters by adding additional batteries or propulsion systems, such as an AIP. Its current displacement is 10 tons.
Chinese Navy XLUUV
Chinese Navy is also pursuing extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicles (XLUUVs). The Navy has developed the HSU 001 LDUUV, which reportedly has a range of 2,000 nautical miles and can operate at depths of up to 3,280 feet. The LDUUV has multiple potential missions, including reconnaissance, surveillance, and mine countermeasures. The LDUUV was displayed at the 2019 Military World Games in Wuhan, China.
Russian Navy XLUUV
The Russian Navy operates Harpsichord-2P-PM which is an advanced Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) program in Russia that can be carried by surface vessels or submarines and used for Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR). It has been tested in the Pacific and Black Sea fleets since 2016 and could be used for Arctic under-ice capabilities or as part of a perimeter defense system for sea-floor hydrocarbon mining operations in the Arctic Shelf region.
The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN)
ROKN developed a large unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) called ASWUUV for anti-submarine warfare. Its open architecture allows it to operate underwater for long periods, survey enemy submarines and ships, protect manned combat vessels, and engage in anti-submarine ISR activities. It can gather underwater surveillance and reconnaissance information on threats, expanding operations and strengthening combat capabilities.
The 6.5 meters long ASWUUV displaces 9 tons and can dive to 300 meters with an endurance of 30 days. It incorporates passive and active sonar, acoustic sensors, a communication unit, and hydrogen fuel cells.
What is the state of the market and competitive landscape?
The utilization of unmanned systems in military and commercial areas is increasing day by day. As computer, communication, information, and AI technology continue to rapidly develop, the technologies that have restrained the development of unmanned vehicles will be solved one by one. It is expected that XLUUV will continue to grow in the future.
Several companies manufacture Extra Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (XLUUVs). Boeing, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Lockheed Martin, and CSIC are leaders in the market, while Naval Group, ThyssenKrupp, Hanwa, and Msubs are challengers. The US has traditionally been the largest defense spender in the world. According to a report from the Congressional Research Service, they plan to purchase one XLUUV in 2026 for $113.3 million, another in 2027 for $115.6 million, and another in 2028 for $117.9 million. The demand for XLUUVs is expected to be driven by the autonomous MCM capability enhancement and distributed fleet structure initiatives undertaken by the US, China, Russia, the UK, and France.
What are the expected developments on XLUUV?
Extra Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (XLUUVs) are a rapidly evolving technology with many potential applications in the military, commercial, and scientific sectors. Here are some of the expected developments in XLUUVs:
- Increased autonomy: XLUUVs are expected to become more autonomous, with the ability to perform tasks without direct human intervention. This could involve the use of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms to enable the vehicles to adapt to changing conditions and make decisions on their own.
- Enhanced capabilities: XLUUVs are expected to be equipped with more advanced sensors, instruments, and payloads to enable them to perform a wider range of tasks. This could include the use of high-resolution cameras, sonar systems, and other specialized sensors to enable the vehicles to gather data and perform tasks such as mine countermeasures, seabed mapping, and infrastructure inspection.
- Increased range and endurance: XLUUVs are expected to have longer ranges and be able to operate for longer periods of time without the need for refueling or maintenance. This could be achieved through the use of advanced propulsion systems and energy storage technologies, such as fuel cells or advanced batteries.
- Improved reliability and safety: XLUUVs are expected to become more reliable and safer to operate, with the use of advanced technologies to reduce the risk of failure and accidents. This could include the use of redundant systems, advanced fault detection and diagnosis algorithms, and other technologies to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the vehicles.
As a result of the rapid advancements in technology, XLUUVs are expected to continue to evolve and become even more advanced and capable than they are today. With these improvements, they will be able to perform an increasingly wide range of tasks in the underwater environment. For example, they may be equipped with more advanced sensors that allow them to detect and analyze a wider range of data. They may also have longer battery life, enabling them to stay underwater for extended periods of time. Additionally, they can operate autonomously, making decisions based on the data they collect. All of these advancements will make XLUUVs even more valuable tools for exploring and studying the depths of the ocean.