US creates autonomous underwater drone with 10-day endurance

American company Anduril is preparing mass production of the autonomous underwater drone Dive-LD, capable of diving to depths of up to 6 km and staying underwater for up to 10 days. The 5.8-meter-long, 2.7-ton device is manufactured using 3D printing. Production is being set up at a new plant in Rhode Island, with an initial capacity of 50 units per year. The cost is about $2.5 million. The first customer is the US Navy, and Australia and Taiwan are also purchasing the technology.

American defense company Anduril is preparing mass production of the autonomous underwater vehicle Dive-LD, which is manufactured using 3D printing. Key features of the new device include the ability to dive to depths of up to six kilometers and stay underwater for up to 10 days without recharging or human intervention. With a length of 5.8 meters, a diameter of 1.2 meters, and a mass of 2.7 tons, the drone is designed for long-duration autonomous patrols. Its speed ranges from 4 to 13 km/h, and its range is up to 580 km per mission. The payload is a compartment with a volume of 1 cubic meter. The 'free-flooding' technology allows it to withstand pressure at depth, and the external fairings are printed on a 3D printer. Production is being set up at a new plant in Quonset Point, Rhode Island, with an initial capacity of 50 units per year and the potential to reach 200. The cost is about $2.5 million per unit. The vehicle is included in the American Replicator program, the first customer is the US Navy, and Australia and Taiwan are also purchasing the technology.