VESSEL REVIEW | XV Excalibur – UK Royal Navy's new large unmanned submarine to serve as technology testbed

Propulsion is by electric motor linked to battery packs mounted on the outside of the hull. The propulsion can deliver a range of 1,000 nautical miles and allow the XLUUV to dive deeper than even some of the manned submarines in the current Royal Navy fleet. Alternatively, the propulsion will enable the XLUUV to stay out at sea for five days.

A payload bay is fitted at the centre of the craft. Situated between the fore and aft pressure vessels, this bay can be fitted to carry mines, smaller UUVs, and sensors.