Dive-XL - Robot Details, Use Case and Specifications

The Dive-XL is an extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle (XL-AUV) developed by Anduril Industries to deliver long-endurance, deeply submerged missions with unprecedented persistence and payload capacity. Designed to operate fully underwater for weeks without surfacing, this modular, all-electric AUV supports multiple heavy payload configurations, from sensors and communications gear to ISR and strike modules, a core enabling platform for distributed maritime autonomy in defense and commercial maritime applications.

Use Cases

Persistent Undersea ISR & Security:
Gathers long-duration intelligence and surveillance data while submerged.
Seabed Mapping and Inspection:
Executes high-resolution ocean floor surveys and infrastructure inspections.
Modular Payload Deployment:
Carries and delivers configurable heavy payloads (multiple standard modules or single large mission package).
Distributed Maritime Operations:
Acts as an autonomous node in layered maritime defense networks.

Industries

Defense & Military:
Long-range ISR, seabed monitoring, and autonomous maritime deterrence.
Naval Security:
Persistent undersea presence for fleet support and area denial.
Commercial & Research:
Deep water mapping, environmental assessment, subsea infrastructure research.

Specifications

Length

11000

Width

2000

Height (ResT)

Height (Stand)

Height (Min)

Height (Max)

Weight (With Batt.)

38000

Weight (NO Batt.)

Max Step Height

Max Slope

+/-

Op. Temp (min)

°C

Op. Temp (Max)

°C

Ingress Rating

No items found.

Intro

The Dive-XL is an extra-large autonomous submarine-class UUV engineered for extended subsea operations and high-capacity modular payload integration. At its core, the vehicle is designed to remain fully submerged for weeks at a time, enabling missions that traditionally require surface support. Its architecture emphasizes modularity and scalability, with a hull that can be configured with a single large payload bay or multiple standard payload modules depending on mission needs.

With a beam roughly ~2 m across and total length around ~11 m depending on configuration, the Dive-XL stands among the largest UUV platforms in operational development. Its all-electric propulsion and freely flooded design allow for multi-ton payloads (4–12 tons) depending on configuration, and range targets greater than 2,000 nautical miles (3,700 km), mission endurance rarely seen outside crewed submarines.

The vehicle’s modular internal architecture supports rapid integration of a variety of systems, from intelligence sensors, communications packages, ISR payloads, to future strike capabilities. Understanding that different mission profiles require different tools, Dive-XL’s design allows operators to mix and match modules for reconnaissance, seabed security, sensor deployment, or payload delivery roles.

Deployment is flexible: Dive-XL can be launched and recovered from a range of platforms, including support ships and littoral craft without specialized infrastructure. Its autonomous control stack, powered by Anduril’s AI and mission planning software, enables long-duration navigation and mission execution with minimal intervention, making it a potential force multiplier in both military and commercial maritime environments.

Dive-XL is closely associated with the Ghost Shark program, developed in collaboration with the Royal Australian Navy and Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG).

Three prototypes were developed under this program, with the first delivered ahead of schedule in April 2024.

Primary mission applications include:

Strategic seabed ISR and influence operations
Persistent wide-area intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance
Large-area hydrographic survey and mapping
Clandestine delivery and recovery of payloads (sensors, UUVs, mines)
Forward deployment and maintenance of undersea sensor networks
Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) support:
- Deployment of towed arrays
- Active/passive sonar barriers
- Networked sensor emplacement
Strike missions (with appropriate payload configurations)
Mobile mine-laying capability
Acting as a “mothership” extending operational reach of smaller UUVs

Dive-XL supports emerging concepts such as distributed maritime operations, underwater constellations, and “loyal wingman” concepts for crewed submarines.

Connectivity

Supports acoustic modem-based communications for submerged command, control, and telemetry. Low-to-medium bandwidth status updates and communication while submerged.
When surfaced, the vehicle uses satellite and RF communications for beyond-line-of-sight connectivity. This includes Iridium-class SATCOM and potentially higher-bandwidth maritime satellite systems.
Integrates natively with Anduril’s Lattice OS, providing unified mission planning, execution monitoring, autonomy supervision, and post-mission data exploitation across multi-domain operations.

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Capabilities

Extra-Large Payload Capacity:
Supports 3 heavy payloads or a single large mission module, giving operational flexibility.
Weeks-Long Endurance:
Designed for multi-week submerged missions without surfacing.
Extended Range:
Range >2,000 nautical miles enables deep-ocean operations and persistent presence.
Modular Architecture:
Flexible hull able to accept mission kits tailored for ISR, communications, or other roles.
Deep Autonomous Operation:
All-electric propulsion for silent long-range navigation and mission autonomy.