Page 35: of Marine Technology Magazine (July 2024)

Snakehead is a modular, recon? gurable, multi-mission underwater vehicle deployed from submarine large ocean interfaces, with a government-owned architecture, mission autonomy and vehicle software.

The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS

Annapolis (SSN 760) departs Guam, March 3.

U.S. photo by Lt. Eric Uhden or decades, submarines have been the apex preda- and recovered a medium UUV using the “Yellow Moray” tor, roaming the oceans largely unmolested, gath- system, and a year after L3Harris announced the successful ering intelligence, providing a sea-based nuclear launch and recovery of an Iver4 (“Rat Trap”) from an under- deterrent, and conducting clandestine missions way submarine. The Yellow Moray UUV is a Huntington In-

Fwith impunity. As such, these versatile and lethal galls Remus 600, and is likely a modi? ed Razorback UUV, platforms have been highly sought after by navies around the originally designed for littoral battlespace sensing operations. world, and with advancements in underwater propulsion and Razorbacks have deployed aboard Navy submarines in the quieting technologies, it is perhaps more challenging than ever past, however they required stowing in a dry deck shelter, with to detect, localize, and track them. But even as submarines be- launch and recovery performed by trained divers. A TTLR ca- come stealthier, and the ocean depths continue to offer many pability would enable more streamlined and seamless UUV ways to hide, emerging underwater capabilities are poised to operations, as well as greater mission ? exibility.

reorder the undersea battlespace, and will force the develop- This is a signi? cant achievement, and represents a game ment of new tactics to successfully employ and counter them. changing capability that would greatly enhance a host subma-

Recently, the U.S. Navy announced a critical step toward op- rine’s organic sensing capability and enable high risk missions erationalizing one of these capabilities. By the end of 2024, to be conducted more clandestinely and at standoff range. For the USS Delaware, a Block III Virginia-class attack submarine example, UUVs could conduct intelligence, surveillance, and (SSN), will put to sea with an integrated torpedo tube launch reconnaissance (ISR) and intelligence preparation of the op- and recovery (TTLR) UUV system. The announcement comes erational environment (IPOE) missions in contested or denied just eight months after the Delaware successfully deployed areas. This might include localizing seabed sensor or commu- www.marinetechnologynews.com 35

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