L3Harris Technologies is moving forward with the supply of the Iver4 900 autonomous underwater drone to the United States Navy, in a program linked to the Defense Innovation Unit.
The system was developed to be launched and recovered directly through the torpedo tubes of attack submarines, expanding the fleet’s operational capabilities in underwater missions.
The Iver4 900 was designed to act as an unmanned “companion” to submarines, carrying out tasks considered risky for human crews. Planned functions include mine warfare operations, advanced intelligence gathering, maritime reconnaissance and ocean floor mapping, activities frequently carried out in strategic missions by the U.S. Navy.
According to the company, the vehicle is already taking part in exercises with Virginia-class submarines, where both its operational performance and the system’s adaptation to real combat scenarios are being evaluated. The drone has a modular architecture, allowing sensors, sonars, mine-scanning systems and other specialized equipment to be quickly swapped according to the mission.
Powered by lithium-ion batteries, the Iver4 900 can operate for between 16 and 24 hours away from the submarine, reaching up to 40 hours in lighter configurations. L3Harris says the goal of the program is to reduce sailors’ workload, allowing crews to focus on threats and strategic decisions while the AUV carries out autonomous tasks in contested environments.
Source: Naval News | Photo: X @L3HarrisTech | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
