In a first, Australia's Ghost Shark submarine turns into aerial drone launchpad

Australia's Ghost Shark submarine has impressively demonstrated its ability to launch aerial drones for military applications. Capable of deploying various payloads, from sea mines to logistical support, this platform significantly enhances operational flexibility. Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy emphasized that the initiative is designed to refine autonomous underwater combat strategies, with advanced communication systems ensuring smooth coordination of drone operations.

Australia's Ghost Shark has revealed a new dimension of underwater warfare, launching aerial drones from its uncrewed submarine in a first-of-its-kind demonstration that could give underwater platforms the ability to extend their reach into the skies. According to The War Zone (TWZ), footage released by manufacturer Anduril shows Ghost Shark surfacing, opening its upper hull compartments and raising a launcher containing 12 angled tubes to deploy an ALTIUS-type aerial drone.

The demonstration offers a glimpse of how autonomous underwater vehicles could carry and launch aerial assets for surveillance and strike missions. Australia's defence industry minister Pat Conroy said the Ghost Shark programme is being developed to expand the Royal Australian Navy's autonomous undersea warfare capabilities.

On October 19, the Australian government disclosed three planned payload roles for the platform: deploying up to 12 sea mines, placing logistics caches on the seabed and launching aerial drones for surveillance and strike missions. The latest footage also reveals two retractable masts on Ghost Shark, offering new clues about how the underwater vehicle could communicate with its aerial drones.

One larger mast rises from the centre of the hull and carries an antenna, while a smaller mast extends vertically from a separate compartment towards the rear. According to TWZ, these systems could potentially support direct communication with the drones or satellite links, allowing operators to receive surveillance data and coordinate missions remotely. However, their exact functions have not been confirmed.

The Ghost Shark is an extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle developed by Anduril Australia for the Royal Australian Navy. Its modular design allows it to carry different mission-specific payloads, including sea mines, seabed logistics caches and ALTIUS uncrewed aerial vehicles. The submarine is designed to conduct extended underwater missions without a crew onboard, potentially allowing Australia to undertake dangerous operations while reducing risks to sailors.

The newly released footage shows Ghost Shark surfacing and raising a launcher containing 12 angled tubes to fire an ALTIUS-type aerial drone. The exact variant has not been confirmed, but the ALTIUS-600 is designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, while the ALTIUS-600M is configured for strike missions.

According to Anduril, the ALTIUS-600 has a maximum range of around 275 miles (442 km) and an endurance of at least four hours. The launcher could allow Ghost Shark to deploy multiple aerial drones during a single mission, extending its reach beyond its own underwater sensors. Depending on the drone configuration, these aircraft could gather intelligence, monitor maritime activity or conduct attacks.