Australia’s AI-driven, stealth XL-AUV “Ghost Shark” submarine unveiled

Demonstrating indigenous defense self-reliance, Australia has unveiled the “Ghost Shark” autonomous maritime vehicles (XL-AUV) program and the MQ-28A Ghost Bat drone developed in partnership with Boeing.

• Australia is investing 1.7 billion Australian dollars (1.1 billion US dollars) over five years in the development and production of “Ghost Shark” autonomous maritime vehicles (XL-AUV).
• Developed domestically by Anduril Australia in collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Group, these unmanned submarines are being built at home, and the first fleet is expected to enter service in early 2026.
• Ghost Shark are extra-large autonomous submarines, bus-sized XL-AUV, capable of executing long-range, stealth missions without surfacing. They conduct intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and strike operations and can be deployed from the coast or from surface ships.

Features of “Ghost Shark” autonomous maritime vehicles (XL-AUV)

• This innovative design includes a ‘flooded’ interior without a traditional pressure hull, optimizing endurance and depth capabilities. Onboard AI—Anduril’s Lattice system—controls navigation, propulsion, and mission decisions.
• Ghost Shark provides continuous underwater presence at a much lower cost than crewed ships, helping fill critical operational gaps amid delays in Australia’s AUKUS nuclear-submarine program.
• With its stealth capability, endurance, and multi-mission flexibility, it strengthens surveillance and strike capabilities across Australia’s vast maritime borders.

MQ-28A Ghost Bat Drone

• An MQ-28A Ghost Bat drone has been unveiled in Woomera, Australia. This drone, a new category of aircraft developed with Boeing, will be the first military aircraft designed and built in the country in half a century.
• The MQ-28A Ghost Bats are 38-foot-long military drones that act as robotic wingmen. Australia is investing heavily in the development and production of these so-called collaborative combat aircraft, which will help the country defend its shores at a time when military threats are drawing ever closer and erasing the distance that once was its strongest shield against potential conflict.
• Australia has so far invested about 650 million dollars in partnership with Boeing for the development of these drones, which will be the first drones designed and manufactured in Australia in more than half a century.
• The Ghost Bat has a strike range of about 2,300 miles, roughly equivalent to the width of Australia.