Lockheed Martin unveiled its LAMPREY, a Multi-Mission Autonomous Undersea Vehicle (MMAUV) that it is proposing as a modular, “plug and play” uncrewed submarine solution for US Navy and allied needs across a variety of missions.
LAMPREY is particularly notable for the use of hydrogen as fuel. Hydrogrenators are used to recharge batteries on board. For covert deployment, the LAMPREY is meant to “attach” to the hull of surface ships or submarines to hitch a ride closer to its area of operations, where it arrives with a full battery charge thanks to the hydrogenators. Importantly, LM says that the host ship/submarine needs no modifications; it is the MMAV that is equipped with docking anchors to grab on to an unmodified hull.
The MMAUV has a payload bay of 24 cubic feet and is described as capable of firing antisubmarine lightweight torpedoes or decoys while underwater. The lightweight torpedoes are shown stacked horizontally one atop the other, for deployment through a payload door in the bottom of the AUV. Programmable Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle-decoys are shown stacked vertically, sitting abreast along the length of the payload bay, for deployment downwards through the same belly opening.
Going up at surface level, it could instead launch unmanned aerial vehicles into the air to conduct reconnaissance or deliver kinetic strikes. In LM media it is shown with up to 3 launch pods, each holding 2 tube-launched small drones.
It was also deliver “equipment” to the seabed.
One of the very first missions the US Navy has in mind for uncrewed submarines is, for example, the covert delivery of smart mines on the seabed.
LAMPREY was internally developed with the Company’s own funds, with mind set on what is thought to be a dynamic and lucrative future market where multiple opportunities are expected to open.
Various numbers of LAMPREY can cooperate in “swarms” and LM shows them being capable to also lay in waiting on the seabed. In the promotional video, autonomous operations are aided by devices deployed on the seabed to relay communications and form an underwater network.
It is shown having a small periscope/telescopic mast which also acts as antenna to communicate with other assets: it specifically shown relaying targeting information by datalink directly to an F-35.
No information has been provided in terms of speed or mission endurance at this time.
Privacy Policy
Powered by © Mobilbyte s.a.s. Information Technology