US Navy’s Virginia-class sub conducts underwater drone mission

The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791) completed the first-ever torpedo tube deployment and recovery of the Yellow Moray UUV while operating in the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) area.

The mission marks a significant step forward in integrating autonomous systems with manned platforms. The Yellow Moray executed a pre-programmed mission profile designed to support subsea and seabed warfare (SSW).

Over the course of the deployment, USS Delaware conducted three UUV sorties lasting between 6 and 10 hours each, using the same vehicle, without the need for diver assistance.

“DELAWARE is just the beginning. We plan to continue to deploy submarines with robotic and autonomous system capability worldwide so we can give more options to our Combatant Commanders by enhancing the capability of our SSNs,” said Commander Submarine Forces, Vice Admiral Rob Gaucher.

“This capability allows us to extend our reach with additional sensors at both shallower and deeper depths than a manned submarine can access. It reduces risk to the submarine by performing dull, dirty, and dangerous missions with the UUV, and the Yellow Moray system reduces risk to our divers since we can launch and recover via a torpedo tube.”

The integration of robotic and autonomous platforms is expected to significantly enhance the US Navy’s capacity for missions such as seabed mapping, mine detection, and intelligence gathering.

Unlike traditional systems, the UUVs can access areas too hazardous or narrow for manned submarines, providing critical situational awareness and operational flexibility.

According to the US Navy, this deployment also highlighted the ability of the Submarine Force and UUV Group 1 to learn fast and overcome barriers.

During the first attempts to launch and recover in a Norwegian Fjord in February, the vehicle failed to recover to the torpedo tube after multiple attempts. After recovering the UUV to a surface support vessel, technicians discovered damage to a critical part.

To avoid impacts to the ship’s deployment schedule and operations, the Submarine Force (SUBFOR) shipped the UUV back to the U.S. and replaced the failed component. Knowing there was another opportunity to operate the system later in the deployment, SUBFOR returned the UUV to the theater where DELAWARE completed an expeditionary reload, and multiple successful UUV torpedo tube launch and recovery operations.

As part of the expeditionary load, the team also executed a first-ever pierside diver torpedo tube load of the UUV in Norway, providing the operational commander with flexible options.

“DELAWARE’s Yellow Moray UUV mission represents a significant advancement in undersea warfare and SSW capabilities. Expanding the use of Robotic and Autonomous systems like the Yellow Moray UUV will enable future submarine missions to achieve greater operational flexibility and effectiveness while strengthening our undersea advantage,” it was highlighted.

USS Delaware is part of the Virginia class, a fleet of advanced fast-attack submarines designed for a variety of missions, including anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, strike operations, intelligence collection, and mine warfare. Equipped with modern sensors and stealth features, these submarines are built to operate across both open-ocean and littoral environments.

To remind, the US Navy commissioned the 24th Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN), the USS Iowa (SSN 797).