French Defense Agency Unveils Plans for Cutting-Edge Autonomous Underwater Drone Prototype by Naval Group

On December 28, 2023, DGA conferred a framework agreement to Naval Group for the conception, fabrication, and assessment of an Unmanned Combat Underwater Vehicle (UCUV) prototype. A preliminary follow-on contract was also established for the design and enhancement of Naval Group’s Autonomous Decision-Making Process (ADMP) and secure autonomous navigation.

This framework agreement is a continuation of the contract awarded to Naval Group on May 4, 2023, for the examination of primary use scenarios and system architecture of an UCUV. The aim is to conduct analyses and appraise the technologies recognized to fulfill the French Navy’s key use scenarios, thereby designing and advancing the UCUV prototype.

Aurore Neuschwander, Naval Group’s Executive Director of Drones, Autonomous Systems, and Underwater Weapons, remarked: “Naval Group is immensely honored to assist the French Ministry of Armed Forces in exploring this groundbreaking and revolutionary naval capability. We will utilize the expertise we have cultivated in naval unmanned systems over the past decade, especially our XL-UUV prototype, which will function as a platform for technology integration and evaluation. This ambitious initiative will contribute to the establishment of a top-tier French industry in naval unmanned systems, with Naval Group serving as a unifying force.”

The initial follow-on contract to this framework agreement will span 24 months. It will facilitate the development of a version of the Autonomous Decision-Making Process (ADMP or ADC© in French, for Autonomie Décisionnelle contrôlée) intended to enhance mission planning and oversight, as well as secure surface and underwater navigation, which are pivotal functions for an autonomous, sustained, multi-mission system.

Additional follow-on contracts are anticipated to cultivate the technologies necessary to tackle the challenges of prolonged endurance, underwater detection, and sub-order execution.

Unmanned systems at the core of collaborative naval warfare

Unmanned systems are playing an increasingly vital role in naval warfare, equipping navies with the technological and strategic edge they require. With the UCUV initiative, France aligns itself with a select cadre of nations engaged in the specification, development, and assessment of a premier XL-UUV (Extra-Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicle). Through this project, the French Ministry of Armed Forces stands to gain technological advancements and breakthroughs in the domains of robotics, drones, and artificial intelligence, aimed at evaluating a new naval capability that could provide medium-term operational responses to emerging conflict zones and asymmetric combat scenarios.

Naval Group’s XL UUV Prototype as a cornerstone of the UCUV project

The XL UUV Prototype, whose maritime qualification was completed at the close of summer 2023, will be a pivotal element of the UCUV project. It will allow for rapid-cycle evaluations of technologies like ADMP and energy systems, needed to validate the technical decisions related to the design of the upcoming UCUV prototype. This innovative approach ensures agile management for the project, allowing the UCUV prototype to be developed within the designated budget and timeline. The Autonomous Decision-Making Process (ADMP), the onboard intellect of autonomous systems.

In scenarios where communication is restricted or at times unattainable or unwelcome, it is crucial to assure a mission’s success with unwavering confidence. Keeping this rationale in mind, Naval Group has developed ADMP, which aims to extend operational capabilities for unmanned systems during prolonged missions, allowing them to execute tasks autonomously without reliance on remote control.

Thanks to ongoing replanning based on analyses of the tactical environment, ADMP allows autonomous systems to adapt to tactical threats, the operational environment, and potential damages. This system empowers autonomous systems to fulfill their missions independently or in cooperation, while adhering to operational protocols.

ADMP ensures adherence to the commands of the human operator concerning mission goals, behavioral rules, and the latitude granted to the autonomous system.