Australia’s ambitious Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous undersea vehicle has arrived in the United States for the first time.
The cutting-edge autonomous vehicle, designed and built by Anduril in Australia, was transported across the Pacific by a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-17A. This deployment not only demonstrates the Ghost Shark’s rapid expeditionary capabilities but also aligns with the timing of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, one of the world’s largest maritime drills held near the Hawaiian Islands.
The arrival of Ghost Shark in the U.S. will enable concurrent testing and development efforts on both sides of the Pacific, enhancing the vehicle’s operational envelope and facilitating closer collaboration with U.S. government partners. Ghost Shark is designed to support a wide range of subsea maritime missions, offering modular and multi-purpose capabilities that can be tailored to meet specific mission requirements. This flexibility positions the Extra-Large Autonomous Undersea Vehicle (XL-AUV) as a force multiplier in the evolving landscape of strategic competition.
“Developing and fielding autonomous underwater capabilities at scale is critical to maintaining strategic deterrence, and Ghost Shark delivers that capability,” Anduril stated, emphasizing the vehicle’s role in bolstering naval deterrent forces.
The first prototype of Ghost Shark was unveiled by Anduril Australia a year ahead of schedule and on budget, underscoring the company’s commitment to rapid development and operational relevance. The early production and testing of the vehicle have allowed for significant learning and iteration, enabling Anduril to deliver a cutting-edge capability at a pace that outstrips traditional defense acquisition timelines.
In 2022, Anduril signed a co-development contract with the Royal Australian Navy and the Defence Science and Technology Group to design and develop three Ghost Shark XL-AUVs within three years. This partnership has accelerated production while reducing costs, offering a more efficient and timely solution compared to traditional large-scale systems.
“The first prototype was delivered one year early and on budget, and all three will be delivered by June 2025. So, from conception to full realization, less than three years,” said Pat Conroy, Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry.
The U.S. Department of Defense has identified uncrewed undersea warfare capabilities as a critical component of future defense strategies. The Ghost Shark program not only addresses this capability need but also offers the potential to field a fleet of low-cost, multi-role autonomous vehicles that can complement and enhance existing submarine and surface forces.