At the Undersea Defence Technology (UDT) 2025 conference, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) revealed its ambitious STARGAZER autonomous underwater vehicle, positioning it as a revolutionary platform for mine warfare and beyond. The presentation showcased a comprehensive system that promises to transform naval operations through advanced unmanned technology.

The STARGAZER represents a significant leap in autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) technology, designed as an extra-large unmanned underwater vehicle (XLUUV) with impressive specifications. At approximately 30 m in length and displacing 150 tons, the STARGAZER dwarfs conventional AUVs while maintaining remarkable endurance capabilities. The vehicle can achieve a patrol range of 2,000 nautical miles at a speed of four knots, enabled by its innovative propulsion system that combines TKMS-manufactured fuel cell technology with battery buffers for efficient power management. For maintenance, resupply, and mission reconfiguration, the vehicle would likely return to specialized facilities. Although sea basing might be possible, the size of the AUV would rather suggest its employment from seaports.

Its sophisticated communication architecture employs specialized communication buoys – internally designated as "Pinguin" – that can be deployed from a drum magazine housed within the vehicle. These buoys surface to establish satellite links while the STARGAZER remains submerged, creating a reliable command and control network that bridges the underwater and surface environments. According to TKMS's presentation, this data transfer system enables comprehensive mine detection operations with real-time feedback.

The STARGAZER's effectiveness is significantly enhanced through collaboration with other autonomous systems in TKMS's portfolio. As demonstrated in UDT presentations, the system may operate in concert with the smaller SEACAT AUV, a versatile 3 m platform that weighs approximately 280kg and offers complementary capabilities. The SEACAT serves as an agile scout that can venture into confined spaces, utilizing its modular SwapHead mission bay to deploy various sensors including mine hunting sonar systems. In practice, the STARGAZER would represent an intermediate platform between ships/motherships or submarines and smaller UUVs both in terms of size and role, a kind of trait d'union. 

Multi-Mission Capabilities Beyond Mine Warfare

While mine countermeasures form the primary mission profile for the STARGAZER, TKMS has designed the platform with remarkable versatility. The system architecture supports a wide range of payload extensions, including remotely operated weapon stations, both heavy and lightweight torpedoes, and even launching capabilities for uncrewed aerial vehicles. This multi-domain approach enables the STARGAZER to serve as a force multiplier across various naval operations.

In mine warfare scenarios, the STARGAZER operates within a layered architecture. The vehicle conducts detection missions using advanced sonar systems, with the SEAFOX component handling neutralization tasks once mines are identified. This division of labour maximizes efficiency while minimizing risk to human operators. Additionally, TKMS has developed the STARGAZER to function as a mothership for AUV swarms, enabling distributed operations across larger areas of interest.

For anti-submarine warfare applications, TKMS envisions a "multistatic" approach where the STARGAZER operates alongside an unmanned surface vehicle called MEKO S-X. While the surface component employs active sonar, the STARGAZER acts as a passive receiver, creating a detection net spanning up to 100 nautical miles in width. This arrangement allows for persistent monitoring of strategic waterways without exposing crewed vessels to potential threats.

Economic Considerations and Market Positioning

The development of the STARGAZER reflects a significant investment in autonomous naval technology, raising important questions about cost-effectiveness. Conventional large AUVs with multiple payloads typically cost over $500,000 per unit, limiting widespread adoption and operational redundancy. The substantially larger and more capable STARGAZER would command a higher price point, potentially restricting its customer base to major naval powers with substantial maritime budgets. However, TKMS appears to be positioning the STARGAZER as a strategic asset that delivers value through persistent operation and risk reduction. The modular design philosophy further enhances its economic case by allowing capability upgrades throughout its service life without complete replacement.

For nations bordering the Baltic Sea and Arctic regions, the STARGAZER represents a compelling operational capability. These challenging environments feature strategic chokepoints, harsh conditions, and increasing geopolitical tensions that demand persistent maritime awareness. In the Arctic, where extreme conditions limit the deployment duration of crewed vessels, the STARGAZER's endurance and autonomous operation would offer clear advantages. As melting ice opens new shipping routes and resource opportunities, nations with Arctic interests will require enhanced monitoring capabilities to maintain sovereignty and ensure safety of navigation.

Indeed, the STARGAZER has been presented as ideal for navies like the German one to have a constant monitoring of the country’s areas of interest (critical infrastructures, submarines, mines, etc.). As navies like the French transition from aging mine hunters to autonomous solutions, the STARGAZER enters the market at an opportune moment. While its adoption may initially be limited to larger naval powers, its technological innovations will likely influence the broader development of naval autonomous systems for decades to come.

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