The lamprey, a fish that has survived for 360 million years, employs a unique strategy: it attaches to its prey and sucks its blood. Lockheed Martin has taken inspiration from this ancient predator, naming its innovative underwater weapon, the Lamprey, after it. This name reflects the drone’s operational method, resembling the lamprey’s attachment to its host.
Introducing the Lamprey Multi-Mission Autonomous Undersea Vehicle
Lockheed’s new creation, the Lamprey Multi-Mission Autonomous Undersea Vehicle (MMAUV), measures over 7 meters in length. It can attach itself to allied ships or submarines using a specially designed lamprey-like system. While secured, the Lamprey can recharge its batteries with an integrated hydrogen generator, ensuring it is always battle-ready.
Versatility: Stealth or Attack
The Lamprey MMAUV offers an array of capabilities, though it is particularly optimized for covert missions. It can remain submerged and undetected, thanks to its low acoustic signature, making it practically invisible to sonar. When the moment calls for action, the Lamprey can deploy decoys to mislead adversaries, launch anti-submarine torpedoes, and even surface to release aerial drones.
What sets the Lamprey apart is its multifunctionality; it integrates roles traditionally spread across various platforms—surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, deception, attack, and aerial reconnaissance—into a single system. Operating in a swarm, it can coordinate with other unmanned systems and make autonomous decisions without human intervention.
The Future of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles
While the Lamprey is an exciting addition to the U.S. military’s unmanned capabilities, it is not the first underwater vehicle of its kind. For example, Boeing’s Orca submarine took eight years and $885 million to develop, and its future within the Navy remains uncertain. In contrast, the Lamprey has been developed internally, enabling Lockheed to “iterate at lightning speed,” according to vice president Paul Lemmo.
Moreover, Lemmo claims that the Lamprey’s cost is significantly lower than that of manned platforms, making it a viable option in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Global Competition in Unmanned Technology
The exploration of unmanned vehicles is not exclusive to the United States. China has also been developing its range of underwater drones. During a military parade in September 2025, it unveiled the AJX002, a multi-mission unmanned underwater vehicle measuring between 18 and 20 meters, capable of autonomous operation, mine laying, and interconnectivity with other attack systems.
The future of maritime warfare is clearly leaning toward automation, and Lockheed Martin’s Lamprey represents a significant step in that direction.
Image | Lockheed