US Navy to evaluate Saab’s AUV62-AT anti-submarine training system

The U.S. Navy is set to evaluate Saab’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training system, AUV62-AT, in the summer of 2018, with an option to continue testing into 2019. The test is through the Foreign Comparative Testing Program.

The AUV62-AT is an artificial acoustic system that mimics a submarine in a way that is compatible with any torpedo and sonar system. The system replaces a submarine as a training target and can be launched from a ship, submarine or shore.

Saab’s system could be the new training system for the Navy’s Undersea Warfare Training Range (USWTR). Located 50 nautical miles off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida, the USWTR will support naval tactical task training for combat systems, submerged target engagement and mission area training. It is set to come online in 2019.

“With submarine usage on the rise, anti-submarine warfare training is more crucial than ever. Some of today’s submarines are armed with heavyweight torpedoes that can destroy a massive vessel rather than simply disable it,” said Görgen Johansson, Senior Vice President and head of Saab´s Business Area Dynamics.