The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and the Swedish Armed Forces have successfully developed, built, and launched a demonstrator for a large uncrewed underwater vehicle (LUUV).
The demonstrator has progressed from concept to a functional vehicle and completed sea trials, concluding the first phase of the project. The next phase is expected to focus on further developing its capabilities. The results will inform ongoing work on software, sensors and autonomous functions, as well as future product development.
The demonstrator is intended to support the development and evaluation of future underwater capabilities and operate alongside existing naval platforms, including submarines.
Its development has used Saab’s software-centric approach and Autonomous Ocean Core, the company’s autonomous control system for surface and underwater vehicles. The project also draws on Swedish expertise in submarine design and sensor integration.
The LUUV project builds on Saab’s previous work and investments in autonomous underwater systems. It is now led by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), in cooperation with the Swedish Armed Forces and Saab. The results will help Swedish authorities assess options for the future acquisition and operational use of autonomous underwater systems.
“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.
