What exactly did the U.S. Navy and DIU select?

They selected Anduril’s Dive-XL for a rapid XL-AUV demonstration. The effort draws on experience from Australia’s Ghost Shark program and aims to prove long-endurance, modular undersea operations. Success could set a faster track to operational use across allied fleets, with shared parts, training, and mission software.

How does this affect the RAN Ghost Shark effort?

It validates design choices and speeds learning. Shared architectures across Dive-XL and Ghost Shark can cut testing cycles, align payload interfaces, and improve sustainment planning. If trials deliver, Australia benefits from greater commonality with U.S. systems, improving interoperability and lowering future integration costs.

Where might Australian investors find exposure?

Look for companies supplying composites, pressure vessels, batteries, sonar, propulsion hardware, autonomy software, undersea communications, or test range services. Assess defence certification, export compliance, and program past performance. Backlog quality, cash conversion, and workforce depth matter as prototypes transition to low-rate initial production.

What is the DIU CAMP program’s relevance here?

The DIU CAMP program focuses on speeding adoption of commercial technologies for defence users. Its methods can shorten contracting, testing, and transition timelines. For Australia, alignment with CAMP-style processes may ease collaboration, improve data sharing on trials, and support quicker scaling if capabilities meet operational needs.

Law and Government

Anduril Industries March 16: US Navy pick validates RAN Ghost Shark

ByHuzaifa Zahoor March 15, 2026March 15, 2026

Anduril Industries secured a U.S. Navy Defense Innovation Unit selection for a rapid Dive-XL autonomous submarine demonstration on 16 March. The decision validates the Royal Australian Navy’s Ghost Shark XL-AUV approach and builds on production already running in Sydney and Rhode Island. For Australia, this points to quicker operational use of long-endurance undersea drones and stronger demand signals for local suppliers. We see alignment with the DIU CAMP program goals of faster fielding, and a clear boost to allied undersea capacity that benefits Australia’s defence industrial base.