Anduril Launches Factory for Unmanned Submarines in Australia
American defense firm Anduril Industries has inaugurated a production site dedicated to its "Ghost Shark" unmanned submarine, manufactured for the Royal Australian Navy.
Ghost Shark Overview
The Ghost Shark is derived from Anduril's Dive-XL platform, an all-electric extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) sized to fit inside a standard 40-foot container.
- Designed with modular midsections of varying lengths
- Supports multiple third-party payloads
- Offers cost-effective, stealthy, and long-range capabilities
- Enables persistent and disruptive intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR)
- Configured for both undersea operations and strike missions
Contract and Production
In September, Anduril secured a US$1.1 billion contract from the Royal Australian Navy for large-scale production of the Ghost Shark. Before the contract, three prototypes had been delivered for testing, and the first production model was nearly complete.
The initial low-rate production hull was officially revealed during the factory opening ceremony, which was attended by Australia's defense minister and the Royal Australian Navy chief.
Ghost Shark is engineered as a "cost-effective, stealthy, long-range, trusted undersea capability that can conduct persistent and disruptive intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR)."
The exact technical specifications of the Australian naval version remain classified.
Author's Summary
Anduril's new factory will accelerate production of Australia’s Ghost Shark unmanned submarines, enhancing naval ISR and strike capabilities with modular, stealthy designs.