// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM

XLUUV

An XLUUV, or Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicle, is a very large, autonomous submarine designed to conduct long-duration missions in the ocean without any human crew onboard. These vehicles are capable of operating independently for extended periods, performing various tasks.

TECHNICAL DEFINITION

An Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (XLUUV) is an autonomous naval platform characterized by its substantial size and capability for extended endurance missions, enabling uncrewed execution of critical tasks such as Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), mine countermeasures, and payload delivery in contested or remote maritime environments.

BACKGROUND

Large unmanned undersea vehicles are a class of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) that are significantly larger than traditional AUVs, which are typically used for tasks like surveying or mine countermeasures. Unlike smaller AUVs, XLUUVs are designed to operate for extended periods and carry larger payloads over vast distances without direct human control.

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SYNONYMS & ALIASES

  • Extra Large UUV
  • Large Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
  • Unmanned Submarine
  • XL UUV

USAGE NOTE

XLUUVs are a cornerstone of future naval strategy, providing persistent undersea presence and expanding operational reach while mitigating risks to human personnel.

DEVELOPERS

Organizations developing technology related to XLUUV.

  • Boeing

    A prime contractor for the U.S. Navy's Orca XLUUV program, designing and building extra-large unmanned underwater vehicles for long-range autonomous missions.

  • Lockheed Martin

    Engaged in developing and integrating advanced autonomous underwater systems and technologies, contributing to future XLUUV capabilities for defense applications.

  • Northrop Grumman

    A major defense contractor with extensive experience in maritime autonomous systems, including various UUV programs, positioning them as a developer of XLUUV-related technologies.

  • Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII)

    Through its various divisions, HII is involved in the design, construction, and integration of complex naval vessels and autonomous marine systems, including capabilities relevant to XLUUVs.

  • Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace

    A leading provider of advanced unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), particularly known for its HUGIN family, and is actively developing technologies for larger and more autonomous underwater platforms.

  • Saab

    Develops a range of underwater systems, including autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and related sensor and control technologies that could be scaled for XLUUV applications.

  • Thales

    A global leader in naval defense systems, including sonar and autonomous underwater vehicles, providing crucial technologies and potentially developing XLUUV platforms.

  • General Dynamics Mission Systems

    Specializes in undersea warfare systems and solutions, including autonomous underwater vehicles and payload integration, contributing to the development of XLUUV capabilities.

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