Germany is developing the first drone to be launched from a submarine

A submarine as a platform for unmanned surface vehicles

Germany is making a breakthrough in the field of marine technology by developing the world's first unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV), which can be launched directly from a submarine. This innovation will allow underwater forces to conduct reconnaissance and operations with minimal risk while remaining hidden underwater.

The new generation of USV is being developed as part of a partnership between the German naval company Gabler and the Danish company FLANQ, specializing in marine robotics. The agreement was announced at the DALI Industry Days 2025 conference in Ballerup, Denmark, highlighting the growing integration of European defense contractors in the field of autonomous systems.

Gabler and FLANQ Partnership: technologies of the future

A key feature of the project will be the adaptation of standard submarine torpedo tubes to launch drones. This means that existing submarines will be able to use their regular infrastructure without the need for deep modernization. After launch, the USV will be able to autonomously carry out missions on the surface, leaving the submarine in a safe zone.

FLANQ provides advanced solutions in autonomous control and energy efficiency, while Gabler provides expertise in integrating systems into naval platforms. The joint development is aimed at creating a compact, reliable and scalable solution for a modern fleet.

Silent reconnaissance and strike capabilities

Unmanned vehicles launched from submarines will be able to perform a wide range of tasks, from coastal exploration and navigation monitoring to electronic reconnaissance and, if necessary, precision strikes. Due to their autonomy and low visibility, USVs are ideal for operations in difficult and potentially hostile waters.

A special advantage is the preservation of the submarine's stealth. Instead of surfacing and risking detection, the submarine can remotely launch a drone that will complete the task and transmit the data back.

A breakthrough in a new generation of underwater warfare

The development opens a new chapter in the evolution of underwater warfare. The transformation of torpedo tubes into universal launchers for autonomous systems marks the transition from purely attack platforms to "wombs" controlling a swarm of drones. This approach enhances operational flexibility, expands the area of control and increases the survival of underwater forces.

If the tests are successful, Germany will become one of the first countries in the world to implement such technology in a real combat infrastructure.

Anduril goes underwater: startup prepares a revolution in underwater warfare for Europe

The American technology startup Anduril, which has already managed to gain a firm foothold in the US defense sector, is now targeting Europe. The company is actively developing an entire line of products for underwater operations, and believes that its technologies are ideally suited for a wide variety of marine conditions in the Old World — from the icy waters of the Arctic to the warm depths of the Mediterranean.

Anduril's ambition is to offer European fleets a radically new solution for submarine warfare. According to the company, their products are capable of solving a wide range of tasks, from covert reconnaissance and monitoring of the underwater situation to active offensive operations. The main advantage? Anduril relies on speed, scalability, and the use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and autonomy.

In an environment where traditional arms shipments can be delayed for years, Anduril offers "rapid deployment." Their systems are designed to be modular and easily scalable, allowing fleets to rapidly build up their underwater forces without waiting decades. This directly responds to the growing need of European countries for urgent and large-scale strengthening of maritime defense in the face of new challenges. Anduril wants to be the catalyst that accelerates the transition of European fleets into a new era of underwater technology.

China develops ultra-fast AI torpedo for underwater warfare

 

Chinese military engineers are working to create an innovative superfast torpedo equipped with artificial intelligence that can radically change the balance of power in underwater warfare. According to a peer—reviewed article published in April 2025 in the journal **Command Control & Simulation**, the technology combines supercavitation — a method that allows torpedoes to move at extreme speeds by creating a gas bubble around the hull - with machine learning algorithms for accurate target recognition.

The development is being carried out jointly by the Department of Armament of the PLA Navy and the Chinese State Shipbuilding Corporation. The AI system, according to the authors, demonstrates unprecedented accuracy: during tests at classified ranges, the torpedo successfully distinguished real submarines from false targets in **92.2% of cases**, even under conditions of intense opposition. This achievement is especially important because traditional torpedoes at high speeds often lose efficiency due to limitations in data processing.

The key advantage of the technology is its ability to analyze acoustic, magnetic and thermal signatures of targets in real time, adapting to tactical changes on the battlefield. Such characteristics make the torpedo extremely dangerous for modern submarines, which rely on jamming systems and false targets to evade attacks.

The implementation of this development can significantly strengthen the Chinese submarine fleet, especially in regions with a high concentration of military forces, such as the South China Sea or the Taiwan Strait. However, experts note that the technology has not yet passed a full test cycle, and its mass production will require time and resources.

The US Navy has successfully launched an unmanned underwater vehicle from the torpedo tube of the USS Delaware

The US Navy recently successfully launched the unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) Yellow Moray (REMUS 600) from the forward torpedo tube of the Virginia-class submarine USS Delaware. This experiment was an important step in the development of underwater and naval warfare technologies.

The launched vehicle performed a pre-programmed mission profile, demonstrating high maneuverability and the ability to effectively solve tactical tasks without the participation of the crew. The commander of the US Submarine forces noted that the successful test of the UUV opens up new opportunities to expand the potential of underwater operations and increase the combat effectiveness of the fleet.

The use of unmanned underwater vehicles makes it possible to significantly increase the control area, improve reconnaissance and reduce risks for submarine crews. The technology of UUV integration into torpedo tubes highlights the U.S. Navy's commitment to innovation and modernization of its forces.

The US Navy has received the first unmanned Lionfish underwater vehicles: a new stage in the development of underwater warfare

 

Two small unmanned underwater vehicles (SUUV) of the Lionfish

The American shipbuilding company Huntington Ingalls Industries has officially handed over the first two small unmanned underwater vehicles (SUUV) of the Lionfish series to the US Navy. This step marks an important milestone in modernizing the capabilities of underwater naval warfare and demonstrates the United States' commitment to introducing innovative technologies into the military sphere.

The Lionfish program, developed in partnership with the U.S. Navy and the Department of Defense Innovation (DIU), aims to accelerate the adoption of advanced commercial technologies adapted for military missions. Lionfish drones have a high degree of autonomy and can be used for a wide range of operations, including reconnaissance, surveillance, mine reconnaissance and countering underwater threats.

The initial delivery of two devices is only the beginning of a large-scale project. It is estimated that the program can be expanded to 200 units, which will significantly increase the capabilities of the US Navy in the field of underwater operations. The potential value of the contract exceeds $347 million, which underlines the strategic importance of this area.

The development of Lionfish reflects current trends in military affairs, where unmanned technologies are becoming a key element of combat operations. These devices are capable of operating independently or as part of coordinated groups, which minimizes risks to humans and increases the efficiency of tasks.

Analytical experts note that the introduction of such systems gives the United States a significant advantage in the face of growing competition in naval theaters of operations. The Lionfish program also demonstrates the ability of the American defense industry to quickly adapt commercial technologies to meet complex military challenges.

Given the growing interest in underwater unmanned systems from other countries, including China and Russia, the Lionfish program is an important step in ensuring the technological leadership of the United States. It also opens up new prospects for further developments in the field of autonomous underwater vehicles.

Chinese low-frequency detector technology is causing alarm in the US

The United States has declared a nationwide alert after Chinese scientists unveiled a revolutionary acoustic technology capable of detecting low-frequency sound sources at extreme depths of the ocean. This achievement is intended to significantly enhance China's submarine warfare capabilities and change the balance of naval forces in strategically important regions such as the Beaufort Sea in the Arctic.

Technology Details

- Low-frequency detector: Chinese scientists have developed an acoustic technology capable of detecting low-frequency sound sources at depths up to 1,000 meters.

- Efficiency: The technology can detect underwater objects, including submarines, at a distance of up to 100 kilometers.

- Application: This allows China to more effectively control underwater space in strategically important areas such as the Beaufort Sea in the Arctic.

US reaction

- National Alert: The United States has issued a national alert, expressing concern that new technology could threaten the country's security.

- Strategic implications: Experts point out that this could change the balance of naval forces in the region and require new security measures.