Saab to develop LUUV for Sweden

Swedish defence prime Saab has signed a SEK 60 million ($9.75 million) contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for a Large Uncrewed Undersea Vehicle (LUUV).

The goal of the project, led by FMV, is to develop a concept for a LUUV;  Saab’s subsidiary Kockums will be responsible for the design, construction, and testing of the vehicle, the company says.

Saab’s autonomous control system, Autonomous Ocean Core, which provides autonomous capabilities for vessels on and below the water surface, will be integrated into the vehicle’s systems, it adds. The first sea trials are planned for the summer of 2026.

“It is gratifying that together with FMV and the Swedish Armed Forces, we have the opportunity to work quickly and together to develop a new advanced system in a short time,” said Mats Wicksell, head of Kockums. “At Saab we get to demonstrate our ability to deliver systems that are both effective and adapted to current and future challenges.”

The need to monitor and map the seabed infrastructure and to detect and deter threats beneath the surface is significant, says Saab. The LUUV will be a sensor platform developed to have various capabilities. It will serve as a decision support tool for operators and will not be designed to carry weapons initially.