Notes On Emerging Iranian / Houthi Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (UUV) Threat
Today (Feb 18) CENTCOM announced that it has "successfully conducted five self-defense strikes against three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, one unmanned underwater vessel (UUV), and one unmanned surface vessel (USV) in Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen." It went on to note that "This is the first observed Houthi employment of a UUV since attacks began in Oct. 23.". This is confirmation that Iranian type AUVs / UUVs (autonomus underwater vehicle / uncrewed underwater vehicle) are being used in Yemen.
This builds on an earlier report revealing that UUVs of some kind are being supplied. On February 15 CENTCOM announced that an Iranian dhow had been stopped transporting weapons to the Houthis in Yemen. The shipment included elements of UUV and USV technology. Limited photos were made available:
US Coast Guard / CENTCOM released photo of weapons seized aboard an Iranian dhow on February 15 2024. The seizure included UUV and USV components. The annotations, highlighting possible UUV parts, have been added.
Iran has several designs for AUVs including ones which are only partially revealed. The most likely candidate for the Houthi supply at this point is a torpedo-like drone which has featured in several propaganda videos. This one-way attack underwater drone (OWA-AUV) is relatively small but can likely inflict significant damage on ships.
Iranian propaganda footage
Primarily it can be thought of as a weapon for use against static targets such as harbours and ships at anchor. But it could conceivably be launched against moving ships as a form of torpedo. Its ability to home in on a target is unclear, but it can raise a short mast. This may be for Electro-optical or infrared observation of the target. The device is possibly wire guided, in which case the range might be more constrained.
The mast being raised during a test.
Unidentified Iranian UUV
There is at least one other similar design. This appears to be slightly larger and have a sail and larger upper rudder.
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