Copperhead

Copperhead overview

The Copperhead is Anduril Industries' torpedo-form autonomous underwater vehicle, designed to bring the same philosophy that Anduril has applied to aerial and surface systems — leverage AI autonomy to create expendable platforms capable of missions previously reserved for crewed systems — into the underwater domain. In torpedo form factor, the Copperhead fits within existing submarine torpedo tube dimensions and can be deployed from conventional submarines without modification, allowing the Navy to deploy autonomous UUV capabilities from its existing submarine fleet without waiting for new specialized vessels or launch systems to be developed and fielded.

Running Anduril's Lattice AI software adapted for the underwater acoustic navigation environment, Copperhead navigates autonomously through complex undersea terrain using a combination of inertial navigation, acoustic ranging, and bottom-contour following. It can track acoustic contacts — submarines, surface ships, underwater infrastructure — and relay data to surface ships or aircraft through deployable acoustic modems or buoying communications buoys that surface to transmit without revealing Copperhead's own position. In a hunter-killer configuration, it can carry a lightweight torpedo or explosive charge for engaging submarine targets after classification and operator authorization.

The 2026 U.S. Navy program news surrounding Copperhead positioned it within the broader undersea autonomous vehicle push that also included Ghost Shark, REMUS variants, and Orca XLUUV. The Navy's vision involves large numbers of Copperhead-class vehicles deployed from submarines, surface ships, and shore facilities to create a distributed undersea sensor and strike network that complicates adversary submarine operations across wide ocean areas. The expendability of Copperhead compared to crewed submarines changes the risk calculation for dangerous undersea missions — operations near adversary naval bases, in mined areas, or in locations where detection would be unacceptable with a crewed vessel.

Armament

Optional lightweight torpedo or mine countermeasure warhead; primarily ISR in current configuration

Development and operational timeline

1. Apr 2022Anduril begins Copperhead development as torpedo-form AUV for Navy autonomous undersea vehicle program
2. Nov 2022Copperhead hydrodynamics and propulsion testing; torpedo-form factor validated for efficient underwater transit
3. May 2023Lattice AI underwater navigation software adapted; visual odometry replaced by acoustic and inertial systems
4. Oct 2023Submarine launch demonstration; Copperhead deployed from torpedo tube of Virginia-class submarine
5. Mar 2024Acoustic contact tracking demonstrated; Copperhead autonomously follows simulated submarine contact
6. Aug 2024Communications buoy system tested; Copperhead surfaces relay buoy to transmit data while remaining submerged
7. Jan 2025Navy evaluation contract awarded; Copperhead assessed against Navy XL-UUV and ACUA program requirements
8. Jul 2025Mine countermeasures variant tested; Copperhead identifies and classifies mine-like objects on simulated minefield
9. Dec 2025Navy awards Copperhead development follow-on contract; production design finalized
10. May 2026Initial production contract awarded; Copperhead deliveries begin to submarine force