Australia has revealed some of the payload capabilities being tested from its Anduril Ghost Shark XLUUV and other uncrewed platforms during this month’s AUKUS exercises.
Navy uncrewed system experts from Australia, the U.K. and the U.S. have been working together in San Diego, California, on the AUKUS Pillar II Maritime Big Play (MBP) Pacific demonstration in southern California.
Among the Australian assets brought to the month-long trials were its Ghost Sharks: the nation has invested at least A$1.7 billion (about £950 million) on the domestically designed and built extra-large uncrewed undersea vehicles (XLUUVs) from Anduril Australia.
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has been collaborating with Anduril on the programme since 2022; in September 2025 the Albanese Government signed a new five-year contract with Anduril Australia for the delivery, maintenance and continued development of the Ghost Shark platform.
This month in San Diego the RAN revealed details of some of the payloads developed and integrated into the Ghost Shark and its other major drone systems, the Speartooth UUV and Ocius BlueBottle uncrewed surface vessel (USV).
In what it termed “a major milestone in the development and testing of advanced undersea warfare capabilities for the Australian Defence Force (ADF)” a Government announcement revealed payloads tested at MBP included remote delivery/deployment of supply caches, sea mines and uncrewed aerial systems (UAS).
Speaking at Anduril’s facility in Australia earlier this month, Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy commented: “Our Government opened this factory less than a year ago and Ghost Sharks capable of a range of complex missions operating far from our shores are now rolling off the line at an increasing rate into the hands of the Australian Navy.
“This announcement is yet another landmark moment that underscores Australia is a world leader in the development of autonomous undersea capabilities.”
Over the course of a decade the Australian Government claims to be spending up to A$5.8 billion (about £3bn) on uncrewed undersea warfare.
- You can read more details on the Australian Government website
