L3Harris' Submarine Tech Lets AUVs Launch Without Surfacing by 2025

L3Harris Technologies has won a contract to develop a new system for submarines. The Torpedo Tube Launch and Recovery (TTLR) system will allow underwater craft to deploy and retrieve autonomous vehicles without resurfacing. The technology is set to enhance missions like intelligence gathering and mine detection. The TTLR system works through a submarine's existing torpedo tubes. It removes the need for surfacing, letting crews launch and recover autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) while submerged. The design supports L3Harris' Iver4 900 AUVs, which can carry out tasks such as seabed mapping and reconnaissance.

The system uses a modular setup, making it adaptable to different submarine classes. This flexibility means navies can upgrade older vessels without building new hulls. Lithium-ion batteries extend mission time, and hot-swap capability allows for continuous operations.

Testing by the U.S. and allied navies has confirmed the system's effectiveness. First deployments are planned for the U.S. Navy and Royal Navy by 2025. The technology also fits into broader defence collaborations, including AUKUS Pillar 2, which focuses on advanced military cooperation.

Beyond AUV operations, the TTLR supports manned-unmanned teaming. This approach lets submarines coordinate with uncrewed systems for more complex missions. The TTLR system will enter service with the U.S. and Royal Navy within two years. Its ability to work across multiple submarine types could reduce costs while expanding operational reach. The contract marks a step toward more flexible and persistent underwater missions.