L3Harris to Provide Autonomous Underwater Capability for US Navy Submarines

26 March 2026

L3Harris delivers combat-ready Torpedo Tube Launch and Recovery system, which deploys and retrieves Iver4 900 autonomous underwater vehicles through submarine torpedo tubes. (Image credit: L3Harris)

L3Harris Technologies has received an Other Transaction Authority contract from the Department of War’s Defense Innovation Unit to deliver the Torpedo Tube Launch and Recovery (TTLR) system, which deploys and retrieves the company’s Iver4 900 autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) through submarine torpedo tubes.

US and allied navies have validated the system to conduct intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, mine detection, and seabed warfare missions without surfacing or exposing personnel to risk.

“The Torpedo Tube Launch and Recovery system is not a future capability; it’s answering combatant commander needs today,” said Nino DiCosmo, President, Maritime, Space & Mission Systems, L3Harris. “Our system is the first to successfully launch and recover AUVs from a submarine, providing commanders flexibility for persistent undersea operations and maintaining essential stealth.”

The modular TTLR system multiplies force capacity from existing submarine hulls, eliminating costly new construction. The system delivers the first US Navy submarine- and aviation-approved AUV lithium-ion battery technology, enabling longer-duration missions with hot-swap capability for continuous operations.

TTLR’s interoperability across multiple submarine classes and allied platforms advances the Navy’s manned-unmanned teaming vision and demonstrates AUKUS Pillar 2 collaboration.