US Navy plans to use submarines as drone motherships
The US is developing a new class of nuclear attack submarines to launch uncrewed undersea systems, according to the Times of India.
The US Navy is designing its next nuclear attack submarine, the SSN(X), to function as a launch platform for various undersea drones, according to the Times of India. Rear Admiral Andrew Miller, the Navy's head of requirements for submarines, said the vessel will be faster and require less repair time.
Speaking at the Naval Submarine League's annual conference on Thursday, Miller stated the service is finishing its analysis of alternatives for the class that will succeed the Virginia-class boats. The proposed design may feature a larger diameter hull similar to the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine.
Unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) are being developed for tasks such as reconnaissance, mine warfare, and protecting undersea infrastructure. These systems can operate in contested waters for long periods without risking human crews.
India is also developing its own unmanned capabilities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. By the end of 2023, the Defence Ministry had cleared several systems, including the SAVIOR semi-submersible autonomous vessel and the CASCADE-ASW autonomous craft.
Recent Indian industry developments include Sagar Defence's USV Matangi, which completed a 1,600km journey in 2024, and the Jaldoot USV delivered by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers in December 2024. Bharat Electronics Limited has also created a solar-powered USV for coastal surveillance.
Operating these vessels in India presents challenges such as rough seas on the western coast and the need for resilient communication networks. The Navy has identified a requirement for a Unified Platform Management System to control multiple unmanned platforms from one console.
