The Ghost Shark is an exciting new underwater drone that has just made its first appearance in action. This extra-large autonomous undersea vehicle (XL-AUV) was showcased during the Autonomous Warrior 2024 event in Australia, where it operated completely submerged. The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the first to use this impressive vehicle, and its manufacturer, Anduril, is looking to sell it to other navies, including the U.S. Navy.
What Happened at Autonomous Warrior 2024?
The Australian Department of Defense released a video showing the Ghost Shark moving through the water during the Autonomous Warrior 2024 event. This event took place mainly around Jervis Bay on Australia’s eastern coast over three weeks earlier this month. In the video, you can see clips of the Ghost Shark underwater, but there’s something interesting: the top of its mast, which usually sticks up out of the water, is blurred out.
Dr. Shane Arnott, a senior engineer at Anduril, explained that the Ghost Shark’s design is different from other underwater drones. Instead of having a tall mast sticking up, which limits where it can deploy its equipment, the Ghost Shark has a low-profile design. This allows for greater flexibility in how it can be used. According to Dr. Arnott, “We haven’t encountered any crazy idea yet from a customer that we can’t fit.”
What Will the Ghost Shark Be Used For?
The Australian government plans to use its fleet of Ghost Sharks for various important tasks like intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and even strike missions. However, they haven’t shared many details about how exactly these drones will be configured for those roles. Anduril hasn’t revealed specific information about the Ghost Shark’s capabilities, such as how far it can travel or how long it can stay underwater.
The Autonomous Warrior 2024 event is a great chance for the Royal Australian Navy and Anduril to test the Ghost Shark and refine its capabilities. Anduril recently brought a Ghost Shark to the United States to showcase it to potential customers and conduct further tests.
A Peek at the Future of Warfare
The Ghost Shark isn’t alone in this new era of maritime technology. Other uncrewed platforms also participated in Autonomous Warrior 2024 as part of a larger initiative called Maritime Big Play. This initiative is linked to the AUKUS defense agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This agreement aims to enhance military collaboration and develop new technologies, including underwater and aerial drones.
During the event, various other uncrewed vehicles were showcased, like the Greenough Advanced Rescue Craft (GARC), Swiftships Sea-Stalker, and Ocean Aero’s Triton hybrid drone. These platforms, including the Ghost Shark, are part of a broader strategy to improve sensor coverage, communications, and operational capabilities.
The Bigger Picture
A lot is happening globally in terms of military technology. The U.S. Navy and others are exploring how to use underwater drones like the Ghost Shark for crucial missions, including mine-laying and electronic warfare. The Ghost Shark and its fellow platforms represent a shift in how navies operate, with a focus on using uncrewed systems to tackle challenges effectively.
The U.S. military is also preparing for potential conflicts in the Pacific region, especially concerning China and Taiwan. Uncrewed systems, like the Ghost Shark, could play a significant role in these strategies, creating a “hellscape” for enemies filled with drones and unmanned vehicles.
A New Era of Uncrewed Warfare
The Ghost Shark has just made its debut, and it symbolizes a new wave of technological innovation in naval warfare. As countries like Australia, the U.S., and their allies continue to develop and test these autonomous vehicles, we can expect to see significant changes in how conflicts are fought at sea. The Ghost Shark is just the beginning of a much larger movement towards uncrewed systems in military operations.
