The European Defence Agency (EDA) is on a mission to make the next generation of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) quieter, harder to detect, and less disruptive to marine life.
The initiative, called the Submarine Hull/Rudder/Propeller Hydrodynamics Interaction and Hydroacoustics (SPHYDA) program, is backed by 4.8 million euros ($5.2 million) and runs through late 2029.
At its core, the project will develop advanced numerical models and experimental methods to map how hulls, rudders, and propellers interact to generate acoustic signatures.
The goal: give designers the tool to slash radiated noise and keep AUVs off enemy sonars and radars.
Experimental AUV
SPHYDA is getting hands-on with a dedicated AUV testbed, built to push the limits of underwater stealth.
The vehicle will run through towing-tank and maneuvering-basin trials to see how the tweaks affect noise and hydrodynamic performance.
Controlled lab tests will then give way to outdoor trials, capturing far-field acoustic data under realistic conditions and providing data that current models often lack.
Broader Context
The multi-national consortium is led by Italy and includes Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Norway, alongside nine industrial and research partners.
Strategically, the initiative feeds Europe’s underwater-warfare ambitions and complements NATO’s ongoing sonar and autonomous systems work.
Outside defense, the project also tackles environmental impact, aiming to cut human-made sound pollution underwater.
