TKMS is developing underwater autonomous unmanned watercraft for which DNV has now granted an approval in principle (AiP). The scalable demonstrator, measuring 25 x 7 metres, is scheduled to set sail for the first time in 2026 and will be tested in specially developed scenarios.
The AiP confirms that it was designed and developed in accordance with the DNV class rule “Underwater technology” and the DNV Class Guideline “Autonomous and remotely operated vessels.” According to TKMS, it is the first German company to have the design and development of an autonomous unmanned watercraft based on the class rules confirmed by an AiP.
‘Among experts, compliance with class rules is considered one of the most challenging hurdles in the development of autonomous maritime systems,’ says Christian Rogge, Head of the Submarines Operating Unit at TKMS. ‘The AiP thus marks an important milestone that confirms the expertise of our teams across engineering, production, and project management, and lays the foundation for an entire generation of autonomous unmanned watercrafts from TKMS.’
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MUM2 demonstrator
Development of the Modifiable Underwater Mothership (MUM) demonstratos is part of the MUM2 research and development project. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). Goal is to develop a new class of modular unmanned underwater vehicles for autonomous underwater operations.
To enable simple and cost-effective transport, the individual modules are designed as 10-inch or 20-inch containers. Each module forms an independent functional unit. The variable payload space can be flexibly equipped with various systems, such as Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs), or launch-and-recovery systems.
The MUM demonstrator is initially equipped with an ROV from the University of Rostock, Swim Out modems from EvoLogics GmbH, and a communication buoy that can be deployed while submerged. Unlike conventional underwater operations, which rely on a weather-dependent mother ship on the surface, the MUM enables missions largely independent of wind and weather, as well as surveillance tasks to protect critical infrastructure.
TKMS is responsible for coordinating the MUM2 project consortium, which also includes EvoLogics GmbH, the University of Rostock, the Technical University of Berlin, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and the Fraunhofer Institute for Communication, Information Processing and Ergonomics (FKIE).
Cross-agency approval process
TKMS established structured communication with all relevant authorities at an early stage, thereby contributing significantly to the development of a cross-agency approval process for autonomous unmanned watercraft.
Central to the process was the involvement of DNV as a recognised classification society, to which extensive design documentation was submitted for review. The granted AiP extends far beyond the MUM2 project and forms an important foundation for further projects involving autonomous unmanned watercrafts.
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Demonstration test
With the demonstration test scheduled for late 2026, the project is entering its decisive phase. TKMS aims to consistently translate the insights gained into concrete customer programmes, thereby advancing the readiness of next-generation autonomous unmanned watercraft for series production.
Picture by TKMS.
