Saab, FMV and the Swedish Armed Forces launch uncrewed underwater vehicle
Saab, in collaboration with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and the Swedish Armed Forces, has successfully advanced an uncrewed underwater vehicle from concept to a fully operational demonstrator. Following successful sea trials, the completion of the first phase signifies a significant milestone in the project, with the next phase aimed at developing more advanced capabilities.
This project underscores the potential of close collaboration between the defense industry and government authorities in expediting the transition from identifying an operational need to testing a new capability.
“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 swift development and testing of the system highlights the strength of the partnership between the Swedish Armed Forces, FMV and Saab,” stated Mats Wicksell, head of Saab’s business area Naval.
The demonstrator has been designed to support the evolution and assessment of future underwater capabilities while enabling operations alongside current naval platforms, including submarines.
Saab’s software-centric approach facilitated this rapid development, incorporating the Autonomous Ocean Core, Saab’s autonomous control system that empowers both surface and subsurface vehicles with advanced capabilities. Leveraging Swedish expertise in submarine design and sensor integration has enabled the project to efficiently progress from conceptualization to sea trials.
The LUUV project builds on Saab’s previous investments and research in autonomous underwater systems and is currently being led by FMV in partnership with the Swedish Armed Forces and Saab. The initiative aims to inform Swedish authorities on future acquisition and operational utilization of autonomous underwater systems.
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Saab is a leading defence and security company dedicated to helping nations safeguard their populations and societies. With a workforce of 29,000 skilled personnel, Saab continuously strives to push technological boundaries to foster a safer and more sustainable world. The company designs, manufactures, and maintains cutting-edge systems across aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors, and underwater systems. Headquartered in Sweden, Saab maintains substantial operations worldwide and contributes significantly to the defense capabilities of several nations.
