The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran declared that it had seized a Dive-LD, an autonomous underwater vehicle developed by the United States, in the Strait of Hormuz. According to the US, this equipment was being used to monitor the waters in that area.
This device, manufactured by Anduril, is nearly six meters long, weighs about three tons, and has an operational capacity of up to ten days. Furthermore, it is designed to reach depths of up to 6,000 meters.
The Dive-LD is classified as an AUV, which stands for autonomous underwater vehicle in English. It operates without an internal crew, and its functionality does not require continuous command from an operator. The equipment receives mission instructions and autonomously executes navigation and data collection tasks, which is particularly advantageous in underwater environments where constant communication with the surface can be challenging.
Statements regarding the captured drone
Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for Centcom, stated that the drone had shown malfunctions before being captured. In a press release to the American media, Hawkins affirmed that the vehicle operated by US forces had been defective for over a day while navigating the region in support of ongoing operations.
The military official added that the equipment in question was an older model and did not contain classified systems. He specified that the faulty drone did not collect sensitive data nor carry any classified sonar or radar equipment, emphasizing that US activities in the region's waters continue.
Physically, the Dive-LD measures approximately 5.8 meters in length and 1.2 meters in diameter, potentially weighing around 3 tons depending on its configuration. The platform was built to accommodate various sensors and equipment, featuring over one cubic meter of space for this payload.
Possible applications vary according to the mission's objective, and Anduril detailed that the Dive-LD can operate at depths of up to 6,000 meters, where water pressure is extremely high, requiring a robust structure. Its autonomy also enables extended missions, allowing the vehicle to remain active for up to ten days without needing to return to the surface, whether to cover large areas or to fulfill long tasks.
Originally, the Dive-LD was developed by Dive Technologies, an American startup focused on autonomous underwater vehicles. Anduril acquired this company in 2022 and integrated the project into its portfolio. Valued at US$ 2.5 million (equivalent to R$ 12.7 million), the drone drew attention following the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran's claim of its capture in the Strait of Hormuz. The news was initially published in Olhar Digital.