Such systems could reduce operational risks while extending mission capabilities in contested maritime zones
The United States Navy’s primary elite special operations force has recently conducted tests with uncrewed underwater vehicles. A report revealed that U.S. Navy SEALs inside a submersible successfully operated with uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUV).
The crewed-uncrewed team pairing is aimed at boosting naval warfare tactic.
Reports have also revealed that such missions can also help boost the operational reach swimmer delivery vehicles.
The test focuses on integrating underwater drones with SEAL-operated submersibles during covert missions. Underwater drones used in the test can assist with reconnaissance, navigation, threat detection, and environmental mapping before human operators move into hostile waters.
Such systems could reduce operational risks
Military planners believe such systems could reduce operational risks while extending mission capabilities in contested maritime zones.
Navy Capt. Mike Linn told The War Zone that the test, in terms of the potential benefits of UUV-SDV teams underwater systems like the SDV and UUVs afford reach underwater. “So, if you can get somewhere in an SDV and then launch a UUV to go do something, then that would make you more capable,” said Linn.
For years, SEAL teams have relied on small underwater transport systems known as SEAL Delivery Vehicles (SDVs). These compact craft allow operators to secretly approach enemy coastlines, harbors, or offshore targets while remaining difficult to detect. More recently, the Navy introduced the Dry Combat Submersible, an upgraded platform that protects operators from prolonged exposure to cold seawater during long underwater deployments.
Underwater drones could serve several operational roles
The next stage of development aims to transform these submersibles into command platforms capable of coordinating with robotic underwater systems.
Underwater drones could serve several operational roles. They may scout ahead of SEAL teams to locate underwater mines, identify enemy surveillance systems, monitor harbor activity, or map safe infiltration routes. In heavily defended areas, unmanned systems could enter dangerous zones first, reducing the need to expose personnel directly to threats.
This approach mirrors broader military trends in aerial warfare, where crewed aircraft increasingly operate alongside autonomous drones. Naval strategists now see similar potential beneath the ocean surface.
The initiative is part of the Navy’s wider investment in unmanned undersea warfare technologies. The U.S. military has been accelerating development of autonomous underwater vehicles capable of surveillance, intelligence gathering, mine countermeasures, and long-range operations. Some newer systems can even launch directly from submarines without requiring divers.
Strategically, combining special operations forces with autonomous underwater systems could significantly strengthen America’s maritime capabilities. Such technology would improve covert surveillance, underwater sabotage missions, intelligence collection, and operations in heavily defended coastal regions.
Although the technology is still under development, the Navy’s efforts indicate that future underwater warfare will likely depend on close cooperation between human operators and intelligent robotic systems.
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Prabhat, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, is a tech and defense journalist. While he enjoys writing on modern weapons and emerging tech, he has also reported on global politics and business. He has been previously associated with well-known media houses, including the International Business Times (Singapore Edition) and ANI.