Atlantic Ocean. (January 11, 2025): The Ukrainians used them to nearly destroy the mighty Russian Black Sea fleet yet they don’t even have a navy. They accomplished this amazing feat using unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs) in the emerging new battlefield beneath the waves. In this photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Justin E. Yarborough, a Mission Specialist Defender Mark IV UUV is put through its paces during exercises with our Australian allies. As drones are dominating the skies, so too will their underwater cousins play a decisive role in future naval battles.

Undersea submersibles enjoy several advantages over human piloted craft that can be critical to success on the battlefield. The primary advantage of UUVs is their ability to operate for extended durations without the need for human-present logistical support or maintenance. Today’s Navy fields dozens of UUVs dedicated to various tactical purposes. UUVs conduct surveillance and gather intelligence in ways that are impossible for a crewed vessel. Their stealthy design allows them to approach and observe an enemy undetected. Even if discovered, many UUVs can simply drop to severe depths to avoid countermeasures.

They are also used to detect and disable underwater mines as they are far more efficient than human divers. One robot, for example, can clear mines in one square mile in sixteen hours, something physically impossible for humans. The drones can also collect acoustic signals to aid in anti-submarine warfare and they can even plant and retrieve mines. They can also connect with other vessels and help develop a common operating picture for an entire fleet. UUVs even provide oceanographic data by mapping the seabed and collecting data on temperature, salinity, and currents.

Utilizing UUVs, the United States intends to dominate any future war beneath the waves.