The world of naval defense is undergoing a profound transformation with the rise of extra-large unmanned underwater vehicles (XLUUVs).

These autonomous submarines, designed for long-duration stealth operations, are becoming critical assets in modern maritime security. The United States and Australia are leading the charge in this technological revolution, each developing cutting-edge XLUUVs to dominate the undersea domain.

The US continues to push the boundaries of XLUUV technology with Boeing’s Orca XLUUV and the innovative Manta Ray, both engineered to navigate the depths autonomously for extended periods without human intervention or refueling.

However, while the US refines its ocean-going drones, Australia is making waves with a formidable contender of its own—the Ghost Shark Autonomous Submarine.

Ghost Shark: Australia’s Silent Predator

In a remarkable feat of innovation, Australia, in collaboration with Anduril Industries, has accelerated the development of the Ghost Shark, an autonomous submarine designed for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

This initiative is backed by the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) and the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) under a US$140 million contract, with a commitment to delivering three advanced XLUUVs within three years.

The project has been moving at an unprecedented pace. In May 2022, Anduril secured the initial contract to develop three Ghost Shark prototypes within three years. Remarkably, within just seven months, Australia unveiled an early prototype model for evaluation.

By April 2024—well ahead of schedule—Anduril successfully launched and delivered the first operational Ghost Shark prototype to the Royal Australian Navy.

Australia plans to acquire at least three Ghost Sharks by 2025, solidifying its leadership in autonomous undersea warfare.

In August 2024, Anduril announced plans to build a manufacturing facility in Australia to mass-produce Ghost Sharks for domestic use and potential export.

During the same month, the company reported strong interest in integrating over a dozen new military and commercial payloads into its Ghost Shark.

Features & Capabilities 

The Ghost Shark XL-UUV is designed for high modularity, making it adaptable to various mission profiles. While the Royal Australian Navy is the first confirmed operator, Anduril is actively pitching this advanced UUV to other military forces, including the US Navy.

The Ghost Shark is designed to carry out critical missions for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in the vast expanse of the Pacific. This formidable underwater drone can operate autonomously for up to ten days and dive to staggering depths of 19,685 feet (6,000 meters), making it a game-changer in undersea warfare.

Engineered for stealth, endurance, and versatility, the Ghost Shark is set to revolutionize naval warfare by enhancing power projection while reducing human risk.

It is highly modular, flexible, and reconfigurable, allowing for multiple mission profiles, including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and strike operations. Although Australian officials have not fully disclosed its operational scope, the deployment of undersea drones like the Ghost Shark signifies a strategic push toward persistent, long-range, and autonomous naval capabilities.

These advancements align with a broader technological revolution in underwater drone warfare, where seabed operations and undersea infrastructure protection are becoming critical military priorities. With global reliance on undersea data cables, these networks are increasingly vulnerable to both accidental damage and intentional sabotage, making autonomous undersea assets more crucial than ever.

Modular Innovation: A Drone That Adapts to the Mission

According to Dr. Shane Arnott, Senior Vice President for Engineering at Anduril, Ghost Shark is designed with highly modular hull sections, allowing it to be easily reconfigured based on mission requirements. Each section integrates data and power buses, making the payload bay fully customizable.

“The nose and tail are different pieces, and the payload in the middle is expandable,” Arnott explained while talking to TWZ. “The nice thing about being in water is the extensibility—we don’t have a size limit in the way traditional vessels do. We haven’t yet encountered a customer request we couldn’t accommodate.”

Beyond its impressive adaptability, Ghost Shark features a low-profile, swept-back sail on its nose section and can be completely disassembled and transported in just five standard shipping containers, allowing for rapid deployment and reassembly anywhere in the world.

Armed & Autonomous: A Mothership of the Future

Beyond ISR and reconnaissance, Ghost Shark could be configured for a wide range of offensive capabilities, including Torpedo or missile launches, Loitering munitions deployment, Mine-laying operations, Electronic warfare, and jamming systems.

Anduril has also hinted that Ghost Shark may function as a “mothership”—a central hub capable of deploying smaller, highly autonomous drone swarms for networked warfare. Swarm tactics provide unmatched operational flexibility, allowing autonomous vehicles to coordinate attacks, conduct multi-domain reconnaissance, and even engage in electronic warfare.

At the core of Ghost Shark’s autonomy is Lattice, Anduril’s proprietary AI-enabled software, which controls multiple uncrewed systems across various domains. Lattice ensures the seamless operation of “autonomy controlling autonomy,” allowing for coordinated missions that minimize human intervention while maximizing battlefield efficiency.

Undersea Warfare In The Age of Drones

The rapid evolution of underwater drones is ushering in a new era of naval warfare, where nations race to develop advanced seabed warfare technologies. The Ghost Shark exemplifies this shift, validating the readiness of uncrewed systems for real-world operations.

Beyond military applications, these advanced XLUUVs could also play a crucial role in marine research, accelerating studies on ocean ecosystems and endangered species while enhancing environmental monitoring.

As nations invest heavily in autonomous undersea warfare, the Ghost Shark represents not just an innovative naval asset but a symbol of the future—where drone warfare defines dominance beneath the waves.

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