The partnership between Rheinmetall and EuroAtlas was announced on 6 August 2025: The GREYSHARK™ autonomous underwater vehicle is to be integrated into the digital battle architecture Battlesuite™ be integrated. The common goal: an operational system for maritime surveillance, infrastructure protection and situational awareness below the military threshold.

Autonomous, persistent, networked

GREYSHARK™ is a heavy-duty AUV in the 6 to 8 metre class, weighing between 3 and 4.5 tonnes depending on the variant. The battery-powered "Bravo" version is suitable for short-term missions, while the fuel cell-equipped "Foxtrot" version has an endurance of up to 16 weeks or more than 10,000 nautical miles. With a top speed of over 12 knots, a hydrodynamic hull and ring propeller propulsion, GREYSHARK™ has high manoeuvrability and range.

The sensor system consists of 17 modules, including synthetic aperture sonar (SAS), multi-beam echo sounder, optical, electromagnetic and LiDAR components. An AI-based sensor fusion analyses the situation in real time. Acoustic modems from EvoLogics enable underwater swarm networking. GREYSHARK™ should be able to operate in groups of up to six vehicles in a coordinated manner without surfacing. This is made possible by an acoustic communication system developed by EvoLogics, which is based on dolphin-like sound communication and is designed to enable reliable data exchange as in a mesh network.

Operational scenarios: Protection, reconnaissance, simulation

The system was designed to protect critical infrastructure, monitor sea areas and conduct covert underwater reconnaissance. It can patrol along pipelines, identify potential saboteurs or unknown underwater objects, mark objects and transmit information in real time. GREYSHARK™ can also be used as an "intelligent target" for submarine hunting and mine defence training.

The propulsion concept allows great depths and high persistence. The missions are autonomous, but can be accompanied at any time by a monitoring organisation on land or on board. Thanks to the ITAR exemption, the system can be exported without US authorisation and is interoperable with NATO command structures.

Rheinmetall's strategic foray into the maritime domain

The collaboration with EuroAtlas and EvoLogics pursues not only technological but also structural policy objectives. GREYSHARK™ is to become part of a comprehensive, digitally networked coastal defence system that Rheinmetall is building in various partner countries. The Battlesuite™ architecture serves as the backbone for these system-of-systems approaches, which integrate sensors, C2 components, AUVs and support networks.

In addition to system integration and sales, the cooperation framework also includes the joint further development and mission-specific customisation of future GREYSHARK™ variants. The aim is to integrate the platform into coordinated national coastal defence concepts - scalable, interoperable and demand-oriented. The partnership also emphasises a European production and logistics chain: design, construction, operation and return are to be anchored locally in order to ensure sovereignty and security of supply.

With GREYSHARK™ and Battlesuite™, Rheinmetall is tapping into the maritime sector. Previously known primarily for land and air elements, the company is now positioning itself as a provider of networked underwater systems. The goal: a digital, sensor-based situation picture from the depths to the air. With potential for further expansion - co-operations with navies, shipyards or the offshore industry.

GREYSHARK™ therefore has the potential to become a relevant addition to the deployment of modern naval forces, especially for securing maritime critical infrastructures or in the run-up to conventional conflicts.

Outlook

In the developing European market for autonomous underwater vehicles, GREYSHARK™ is competing with systems such as the Norwegian HUGIN, the French AUSS, the Swedish Sabertooth and, more recently, with developments from Helsing. The latter's Lura SG-1 is an AI-based glider for tactically flexible coastal missions. The Lura SG-1 is in a significantly different weight class to the GREYSHARK™ and follows a different concept - but both developments demonstrate the trend towards European autonomy under water.

GREYSHARK marks a significant step forward for defence and maritime experts. The system combines modern AUV technology (high autonomy, AI, swarm capability) with practical operational relevance for current threat scenarios in coastal waters and beyond. The integration into Rheinmetall's coastal defence systems and digital networking in the Battlesuite network mean that underwater data can stand on an equal footing with ground, air and surface sensors in the future. With GREYSHARK, EuroAtlas, EvoLogics (Berlin) and Fassmer Werft (Hülle) are also demonstrating the capabilities of the European defence industry in a highly innovative field. Without ITAR restrictions, GREYSHARK™ can be exported to NATO partners and EU states - while at the same time safeguarding key national technologies. For naval planners and political decision-makers, GREYSHARK should therefore not only be a fascinating technology project, but also a concrete tool for ensuring security at sea and under the sea in the 21st century.