Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) UUV Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By UUV Platform (Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV), Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), and Supervised Underwater Vehicle (SUV)) By Operation (Hold at Risk, Maritime Shield, and Protected Passage), By Size (Micro, Mini, and Large), By Function (Patrolling, Detecting, Tracking, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) market refers to the segment of the defense industry that focuses on developing, producing, and selling unmanned underwater vehicles specifically designed for anti-submarine warfare operations. These UUVs are armed with advanced sensors and technologies that enable them to detect, track, and potentially engage enemy submarines, either autonomously or under the control of human operators. ASW UUVs play a crucial role in modern naval warfare. They provide a highly effective means of countering the threat posed by enemy submarines, which are often difficult to detect and track using traditional surface-based methods. These UUVs can operate in a range of underwater environments, including shallow coastal waters, deep oceanic waters, and narrow straits and chokepoints, providing navies with enhanced situational awareness and improved capabilities for protecting their fleets and securing their maritime borders.

Key Market Insights:

One of the key driving factors of the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) UUV market is the growing demand for maritime security as global trade and commerce expand. Many countries are increasing their investments in naval defense capabilities to protect their maritime borders and safeguard their interests. ASW UUVs are an important component of modern naval fleets, so investment in this area is increasing. For example, the U.S. Navy’s Knifefish UUV is designed to detect and identify buried mines in littoral zones, making it a valuable tool for protecting naval vessels in these environments.

Advancements in UUV technology have made these vehicles more capable and versatile than ever before, which is also driving this market. They can operate for longer periods, travel further distances, and carry more advanced sensors and payloads, making them a more effective tool for ASW operations. For example, the Bluefin-21 UUV, developed by General Dynamics, is equipped with advanced sensors and imaging technology that allows it to search large areas of the ocean floor for underwater objects.

But, Anti-Submarine Warfare UUVs are often limited in their payload capacity, limiting their effectiveness in certain missions. For example, some ASW UUVs cannot carry torpedoes or other weapons, which limits their ability to engage with enemy submarines. Also, many ASW UUVs rely on satellite communication to transmit data and receive commands from human operators. This dependence can be a restraining factor for this market in areas where satellite communication is unreliable or unavailable. Furthermore, another restraining factor for this market is cyberterrorism. ASW UUVs, like other autonomous systems, are vulnerable to cyber-attacks that could compromise their mission capabilities or compromise sensitive data. For example, in 2020, the U.S. Navy reported a breach of its Naval Undersea Warfare Center that resulted in the theft of sensitive data related to underwater drones.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Global Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) UUV Market:

The COVID-19 pandemic has positively impacted the Global Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) UUV Market. The pandemic has increased the demand for maritime security. Countries seek to protect their borders by operating remotely, reducing the need for human operators and minimizing the risk of infection. This has increased interest in ASW UUVs as a tool for protecting maritime assets. For example, in 2020, the French Navy reportedly increased its use of UUVs for maritime surveillance and protection. Also, the pandemic has led to increased research and development efforts in the ASW UUV market as companies and organizations seek to develop new technologies and capabilities. For example, in 2020, the U.S. Navy announced a new program to develop next-generation UUVs for various missions, including ASW.

The global Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) UUV Market is segmented into four types. By UUV Platform, it is segmented into Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV), Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), and Supervised Underwater Vehicle (SUV). Based on operation, this market is fragmented into hold at risk, maritime shield and protected passage. Based on size, the market is divided into micro, mini, and large. By function, it is divided into patrolling, detecting, tracking and others. From a geographical view, the market is categorized into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Rest of the World.

Key Insights:

The report will describe the following key insights:

• The report analyzes a detailed industry overview, including qualitative and quantitative information.


• The report analyzes an overview and forecast of the Global Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) UUV market based on various segments.


• The report also analyzes comprehensive PEST analysis for all four regions, i.e., North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World, after evaluating economic, social, political, and technological factors affecting the Global Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) UUV market in these regions.

Regional Analysis:

North America is a significant market for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), driven by factors such as the presence of key manufacturers, such as General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing, increasing investments in naval modernization, surveillance, and intelligence gathering. For example, in F.Y. 2023, the U.S. Navy awarded a USD 22.15 billion budget for research, development, and testing. Also, North America faces growing threats from rival naval powers, such as China and Russia, which are expanding their naval capabilities and presence in the Arctic and Pacific regions. On the contrary, North America is collaborating with other countries and organizations on ASW UUV initiatives to develop new technologies and capabilities. For example, in 2021, Canada and the U.S. launched a joint initiative to develop new UUV technologies for the Arctic region, which includes ASW capabilities.

Key Players Covered:

The report includes the profiles of key players such as General Dynamics Mission Systems, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Saab, Ocean Infinity, Kongsberg Maritime, Teledyne Marine, Blue Robotics, L3Harris Technologies, Northrop Grumman, Atlas Elektronik, and others.

Segmentation:

Key Industry Developments:

• In November 2022, Saab AB, a Swedish Defense company, was awarded a ten years contract of USD 173.2 million from U.S. Navy’s Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division to modernize and qualify the MK39 EMATT (expendable mobile anti-submarine warfare training target), a small-sized (3 feet/22 pounds) unmanned underwater vessel (UUV) programmed to conduct various anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training scenarios.


• In July 2022, South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD) conducted an operational demonstration of the new ASW UUV manufactured by Hanwha Systems. After being launched in Tongyeong, South Korea’s southern coast, it confirmed its ability to track autonomously and conduct anti-submarine searching and tracking.