Cellula, TAS to develop next-gen XLUUV for Australian Navy

Tech firm Cellula Robotics (Cellula) has partnered with Trusted Autonomous Systems (TAS) to develop the next generation of fuel cell-powered, extra-large unmanned underwater vehicle (XLUUV) for Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

The vessel is being built under the RAN’s project SeaWolf, which is set to debut the first 12m XLUUV hull in the fourth quarter of 2022.

The SeaWolf project builds on Cellula’s existing Solus-LR system and will use Solus control architecture and software. Some of the features of the SeaWolf project include a mission range of over 5,000 kms powered by a fuel cell power system and two modular 2,500 liter flooded payload bays.

With a 12 meter by 1.7 meter hull, SeaWolf could be shipped in a single 40′ ISO container, according to the company. Australia-based firm Ron Allum has been sub-contracted by Cellula to implement a robust thruster and battery system.

“TAS are excited to see the progress on the SeaWolf project across engineering, manufacturing, regulatory, control, propulsion and other supporting technologies and concepts,” CEO of TAS Jason Scholz noted.

“Cellula is excited to take the DRDC funded Solus-LR project to the next level of capability with TAS and RAN,” said Adrian Woodroffe, Business Development Manager at Cellula.

Demonstration missions with Solus-LR and the prototype SeaWolf XLUUV will take place in the first quarter of 2023 in Australia.