MELBOURNE, — May 2, 2026 : Australian defence company C2 Robotics has delivered its first Speartooth Large Uncrewed Undersea Vehicle (LUUV) to the United States, marking the system’s transition from development into operational service and confirming the firm’s entry into international defence markets.
The delivery follows a commissioning and christening ceremony held on May 1, 2026, in Canberra, attended by U.S. Naval Attaché Captain Josh Fagan and Royal Australian Navy Captain Tony Miskelly, representing the Director General of Maritime Integrated Capabilities. Company personnel and suppliers were also present.
Christening Ceremony Reflects Autonomous Design
In a deviation from traditional naval practice, the Speartooth was christened using a robotic arm operating under a “human-on-the-loop” concept. The approach mirrors the system’s operational philosophy, where autonomous functions are executed with human oversight retained for decision-making.
Troy Duggan, chief executive of C2 Robotics, said the event reflects both program maturity and expanding cooperation with the United States. He noted that payload configurations and mission roles for the LUUV continue to evolve as development progresses.
Platform Design and Technical Specifications
The Speartooth LUUV has been developed over four years with funding and collaboration from the Australian Department of Defence. It is built around the design principle of “Small, Smart, Many,” emphasizing scalable deployment and reduced unit cost in contested maritime environments.
The system features a base hull length of 8 meters and a beam of 1 meter. Through modular payload sections, the vehicle can be extended to approximately 11–12 meters. It has an operational depth of up to 2,000 meters and a maximum range of about 2,000 kilometers.
Propulsion is provided by a hybrid system combining lithium-ion batteries and a diesel engine, driving an electric propeller. The platform includes a modular payload architecture offering up to 2.4 cubic meters of internal space, with an unladen weight of approximately 1,150 kilograms.
Its composite hull construction allows rapid manufacturing at scale and reduces costs compared with conventional crewed or large autonomous submersibles. Payload bays can be reconfigured without structural modification and can carry sensors, explosives, munitions, loitering systems, or logistical supplies.
The LUUV is designed to support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), strike, logistics, and seabed warfare missions. It can be transported in standard shipping containers and launched or recovered from basic infrastructure such as boat ramps.
Australian Defence Integration
The Australian Defence Force is advancing integration of the Speartooth system under Project SEA 1200. The Royal Australian Navy has established its Maritime Autonomous Systems Unit (MASU), which will operate Speartooth alongside other uncrewed platforms.
The system has already been involved in domestic and international trials, including testing for underwater logistics, autonomous payload delivery, and mission accuracy. Thales Australia has contributed sovereign sonar sensor integration for the platform.
According to the 2026 National Defence Strategy, the Australian Defence Force plans to acquire Speartooth units as part of its broader autonomous maritime capability development. Compared with larger extra-large uncrewed systems such as Ghost Shark, Speartooth is positioned for shorter-range missions with greater deployment flexibility.
U.S. Delivery and Export Milestone
The delivery to the United States represents the first confirmed international export of the Speartooth LUUV. The platform is intended to provide allied forces with long-range ISR and strike capabilities, while enabling force expansion through lower-cost, high-volume deployment.
Duggan stated that the partnership reflects joint efforts to advance autonomous undersea warfare capabilities among allied nations. The company had previously announced its first export sale in November 2025, with the United States identified as the initial recipient.
European Expansion Plans
Beyond Australia and the United States, C2 Robotics is preparing to expand into Europe. The company confirmed that an announcement regarding additional overseas sales is expected in coordination with its European partner, Eurobotics GmbH.
The Speartooth platform is currently undergoing testing by an undisclosed country in the Baltic Sea region, indicating early-stage operational evaluation in European waters.
Company Profile
C2 Robotics, headquartered in Melbourne, focuses on rapid development of autonomous systems across maritime, land, and air domains. The company’s approach emphasizes the use of commercial-off-the-shelf components to deliver scalable, cost-effective defence solutions while maintaining sovereign capability.
The Speartooth program reflects this model, combining modular design, flexible payload integration, and production efficiency to support evolving operational requirements in undersea environments.
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