BAE Systems expands its UUV family
BAE Systems on 22 September unveiled its Riptide UUV-12 system, as the newest addition to its portfolio of unmanned undersea systems.
The 30.5cm-diameter vehicle joins three other small UUV variants and marks the entry of BAE Systems into the medium UUV market.
UUV-12 is the first new vehicle of its kind to be launched since the company bought Riptide Autonomous Solutions in 2019.
Jeff Smith, chief scientist in the FAST Labs R&D organisation within BAE Systems, said: ‘With this medium-size platform, we are strategically aligning our modular, open architecture-based UUV platform to meet rapidly expanding applications and requirements.’
UUV-12 can be customised to meet a variety of mission needs, including those that require larger and more power-hungry payloads. Integrated with mission system payloads from BAE Systems, it can deliver combinations of RF signal collection, EW, active acoustics, acoustic IFF, acoustic and RF communications, mission autonomy and navigation.
The UUV can undertake long-endurance missions, BAE Systems added, thanks to its high-efficiency electronics architecture coupled with a highly efficient, low-noise propulsion system.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Navy and Raytheon explore additional applications for Mk 58 CRAW torpedo]()
US Navy and Raytheon explore additional applications for Mk 58 CRAW torpedo
Designed as an anti-torpedo and anti-submarine capability, the USN and RTX foresee the Compact Rapid Attack Weapon’s potential for deployment from surface ships and aerial and uncrewed platforms.
-
![European navies line up $105.8 billion in unawarded contracts for 2026]()
European navies line up $105.8 billion in unawarded contracts for 2026
France, Germany and Italy lead the way on unawarded naval defence opportunities that could be awarded this year, but across Europe countries are ramping up their spending efforts to face geopolitical challenges.
-
![RTX Raytheon targets nearly 170% RAM production increase to meet global demand]()
RTX Raytheon targets nearly 170% RAM production increase to meet global demand
The US multinational company is currently assembling 300 Rolling Airframe Missile rounds per year, with plans to reach 800 units annually after significant investment and modernisation of its facilities.
