Saab has developed and launched a demonstrator of a large uncrewed underwater vehicle (LUUV) in less than a year after receiving a contract.
The company said the demonstrator is fully functional and has completed successful sea trials, with the initial development phase progressing as planned.
The results will inform the next phase of development, which will add capabilities such as autonomous functions, advanced software, and new sensors.
Developed in partnership with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and the Swedish Armed Forces, the LUUV demonstrates how collaboration between industry and government can accelerate the development and testing of new military capabilities.
Saab said such partnerships “can significantly reduce the time from identifying an operational need to testing a new capability.”
“This project demonstrates how new technologies can be rapidly translated into practical operational value,” said Mats Wicksell, head of Saab’s business area Naval.
“The fact that we have also been able to develop and test the system in such a short timeframe demonstrates the strength of the collaboration between the Swedish Armed Forces, FMV and Saab.”
Taking a Software-Based Approach
Saab attributes the LUUV’s rapid development to its software-centric approach and its proprietary Autonomous Ocean Core solution, which enables autonomous capabilities on surface and underwater platforms.
The demonstrator also builds on Saab’s previous work on underwater systems. The FMV and Swedish Armed Forces will help guide Swedish authorities as they assess the technology and consider whether to acquire it.
“The uncrewed underwater vehicle can contribute to increased endurance, enhanced situational awareness and strengthened underwater capabilities,” Wicksell said.
