Dutton announces Australia will build three prototype robot submarines

Anduril Australia, the Royal Australian Navy and Defence Science and the Technology Group will design, develop and manufacture three prototype Extra Large Autonomous Undersea Vehicles (XLAUVs) over the next three years.

According to an announcement by defence minister Peter Dutton on Thursday, Defence and Anduril Australia would co-fund the program, working to an “ambitious build schedule” and including local SMEs. 

Read @AuManufacturing’s profile of Anduril here.

The program is reportedly worth $US 100 million ($AUD 140 million.)

The uncrewed vessels would strengthen Defence’s understanding of the technology behind them and create the foundations of a local fleet of XLAUVs, complementing submarine and surface fleets, according to Dutton.

“The vessels would also give the Australian Defence Force innovative mission options while presenting a disruptive and difficult undersea problem for any adversary,” the minister said on Thursday.

XLAUVs are typically between 10 – 30 metres long and able to transport various military payloads over large distances in stealth.

US-headquartered Anduril develops various autonomous systems, and officially established an Australian subsidiary in March.

Picture: Lockheed Martin’s Orca autonomous undersea vessel (www.lockheedmartin.com)

Subscribe to our free @AuManufacturing newsletter here.