Australia names future XLAUV as the Ghost Shark
Anduril Industries’ Dive-LD, pictured here, will serve as a testbed as the company develops an XLAUUV for Australia’s navy. (Photo: Anduril)
Under a three-year programme, Anduril is going full-steam ahead in its quest to produce three XLAUV prototypes for Australia’s navy.
Australia has named its future extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle (XLAUV), being developed by Anduril Industries, as the Ghost Shark.
A naming ceremony took place in Sydney Harbour, according to a statement by Anduril on 12 December.
The name for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) future craft is also a nod to the MQ-28A Ghost Bat, an autonomous loyal wingman developed for the RAAF by Boeing Defence Australia.
On the same occasion, Anduril welcomed the arrival of a 2.8t and 5.8m-long Dive-LD AUV from the US, which will be utilised as a testbed for the development of the RAN’s
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Canada boosts Arctic presence as CCGS Donjek prepares for sea trials this year]()
Canada boosts Arctic presence as CCGS Donjek prepares for sea trials this year
CCGS Donjek is currently being prepared to start testing and be handed over to the Canadian Coast Guard in the second half of 2026.
-
![US Navy to accelerate the replenishment of SM-6 stocks as demand continues to surge]()
US Navy to accelerate the replenishment of SM-6 stocks as demand continues to surge
The Naval Sea Systems Command exercised a US$335 million modification to a contract with RTX Raytheon to support increasing the production of Standard Missiles 6 by 2030. Shephard spoke with the company president about how the company has scaled to meet demand.
-
![How the Hormuz mine threat exposes potential Baltic MCM shortfalls]()
How the Hormuz mine threat exposes potential Baltic MCM shortfalls
Ageing Baltic vessels and an absence of active minehunting vessel programmes in the region have been put under the spotlight in the recent conflict.
