Saab, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and the Swedish Armed Forces have successfully launched a demonstrator built for a Large Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (LUUV). 

According to Saab, a leading defence and security company, the demonstrator has progressed from concept to a fully functional vehicle within a short period of the contract award.

Following successful sea trials, the first phase of the project has been completed. The next phase is expected to focus on developing more advanced capabilities, it said. 

“This project demonstrates how new technologies can be rapidly translated into practical operational value. The uncrewed underwater vehicle can contribute to increased endurance, enhanced situational awareness and strengthened underwater capabilities.

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,” said Mats Wicksell, head of Saab’s business area Naval.

The demonstrator has been developed to support the development and evaluation of future underwater capabilities and to enable operations alongside existing naval platforms, such as submarines.

The rapid development has been enabled by Saab’s software-centric approach and the integration of Autonomous Ocean Core, Saab’s autonomous control system that provides surface and subsurface vehicles with autonomous capabilities. 

Combined with Swedish expertise in submarine design and sensor integration, this has made it possible to take the project swiftly from concept to sea trials, it stated.

The LUUV project builds on Saab’s earlier investments and work in autonomous underwater systems and is now led by FMV in cooperation with the Swedish Armed Forces and Saab, it added.