US Navy Completes Underwater Launch Test of Low-Cost Long-Endurance UUV HADALUS

The US Navy recently conducted a successful underwater launch test of the HADALUS, a new low-cost, long-endurance unmanned underwater vehicle, off Portsmouth, Rhode Island. The vehicle subsequently completed a series of sea trials in local waters, marking a first-of-its-kind breakthrough for underwater launch missions. The test focused on validating the ability to covertly deploy the UUV from a submarine, preserving its stealth and practicality in real-world operations.

HADALUS was developed by prime contractor Raytheon with partner Composite Energy Technologies, going from concept sketch to functional prototype in under 18 months. Composite Energy Technologies supplied the vehicle's composite structure, while Raytheon integrated the mission system, sonar, electronics, and launcher. The UUV is 34 feet (about 10 meters) long with a 6-foot (about 1.8-meter) cross-section, has a range exceeding 2,000 nautical miles, and is designed to cost only one-third to one-fifth of comparable long-endurance UUVs. The program, which has been in development since 2000, has achieved these milestones.

During the demonstration, HADALUS performed end-to-end operations, showcasing its ability to detect, re-acquire, and engage targets in a single mission while maintaining a high degree of stealth. For security reasons, the military did not disclose the specific mother submarine used. Such UUVs, which do not require crew spaces, life-support systems, or pressure hulls, cost only a fraction of traditional manned submarines and can be used for routine patrols or dispatched to dangerous waters, thereby avoiding risks to sailors and high-value platforms.