The Norwegian company says a commercial hull, proven sonar and a British yard could deliver uncrewed submarine hunters by the end of the decade, but the Royal Navy has not yet set a requirement or timeline.
NAVSEA is exploring AI-assisted design for a larger, stealthier submarine with increased weapons capacity and uncrewed-system integration, with lead-boat procurement envisaged from 2040.
The US Navy is pushing for a fleet of over 350 crewed ships and submarines and around 150 large USVs and UUVs under the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm Mike Gilday's Navigation Plan 2022.
Hanwha Systems is working on USVs and UUVs for South Korea's navy, including an anti-submarine type. The country is also working to improve its AIP and fuel cell technology.
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works have been awarded engineering and design contracts to develop the USN's next-generation DDG(X) destroyer.