Saab completes LUUV underwater demonstrator in less than a year

Saab has completed a large uncrewed underwater vehicle demonstrator, known as LUUV, in less than a year after receiving the contract. The prototype has passed its first sea trials, the company says.

The project involved the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and the Swedish Armed Forces. They will help assess whether the technology meets military needs. Saab said officials and engineers worked together to develop and test the equipment on a short timeline.

“This project demonstrates how new technologies can be rapidly translated into practical operational value,” said Mats Wicksell, head of Saab’s business area Naval. He also pointed to collaboration between the Swedish Armed Forces, FMV and Saab.

The trials mark progress for a demonstrator, not a system ready for regular operational use. Saab expects further development to add autonomous functions, software improvements and sensors. The project uses Saab’s Autonomous Ocean Core, a proprietary software platform designed to support autonomous operation of underwater and surface vessels.

Saab has not disclosed the demonstrator’s size, maximum depth, endurance, speed or payload capacity. Swedish authorities will use the results to assess whether the technology merits further investment.