Australia Enhances Ghost Shark Submarines with New Weapons and Capabilities
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- InterestingEngineering.com
Australia has unveiled advanced weaponry for its Ghost Shark robotic submarines, including naval mines and explosive aerial drones, as part of a strategic move to bolster its autonomous warfare capabilities. Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy announced these enhancements on October 19, emphasizing the submarines' ability to deploy up to 12 sea mines and conduct aerial strikes from significant distances.
This development is crucial as it aligns with Australia's $5.8 billion investment in autonomous underwater warfare over the next decade, aimed at providing the Navy with enhanced operational flexibility in hostile environments. The Ghost Shark submarines, manufactured under a $1.7 billion contract with Anduril, will now play a more versatile role in naval operations, potentially blocking shipping routes and conducting surveillance.
Looking ahead, the program has transitioned from development to large-scale production in just three years, with the first production submarine already delivered. The Australian Navy's ongoing enhancements, including potential export opportunities for allied nations, will be showcased during Exercise Maritime Big Play Pacific, highlighting the collaborative efforts among AUKUS partners.
Original report
Australia arms Ghost Shark underwater drones with mines and aerial strike weapons
InterestingEngineering.com · Sujita SinhaThis briefing is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting and is provided for industry information and news discovery. The original report and source publication are credited and linked where applicable. RobotToday does not claim ownership of third-party source material.
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