Dual Role AUV Torpedo Expands Undersea Warfare Capabilities

Vatn Systems has unveiled its new Skelmir S12 autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV)-torpedo hybrid, a next-generation platform engineered to meet evolving undersea warfare requirements.

Designed for flexibility, multi-domain deployment, and mission modularity, the Skelmir S12 represents a breakthrough in dual-role underwater systems for naval forces.

The announcement coincides with the opening of Vatn’s new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, significantly expanding the company’s production capacity to meet increasing demand from defense and commercial customers.

Nelson Mills, Co-Founder and CEO of Vatn Systems, said, “With the Skelmir S12, we set out to fill a critical market void—creating a vessel that merges the capabilities of a traditional AUV with the agility and performance of a lightweight torpedo for a fraction of the cost. “We’ve created a platform that delivers superior payload capacity, flexible deployment, and unmatched cost-effectiveness compared to existing solutions, and we’re excited to be able to produce these at scale in our new manufacturing facility to fill that gap in the market and meet customer demand starting this summer.”

The Skelmir S12 features a 12.75-inch diameter form factor, enabling compatibility with NATO-standard launch systems and allowing seamless integration across existing platforms. Developed to operate in both autonomous and kinetic roles, the vehicle can transition between torpedo and AUV configurations depending on mission requirements.

Key mission capabilities include:

• Torpedo operations for conventional naval combat
• Sensor platform functionality for ISR and seabed mapping
• Electronic warfare payloads for advanced threat mitigation and deception

Thanks to its modular design and agnostic launch capability, the Skelmir S12 can be deployed from submarines, surface vessels, and aircraft, enabling greater strategic flexibility across maritime domains.

Vatn Systems has confirmed that the AUV configuration of the Skelmir S12 has already completed its first operational exercise, demonstrating key capabilities in a real-world environment. The first production units have been sold to U.S. government customers, with deliveries expected later this year. The torpedo variant is currently in advanced development, with manufacturing and initial deliveries slated for the following year.

The launch of the Skelmir S12 is part of a broader strategic expansion for Vatn Systems. The company’s new manufacturing facility is equipped with next-generation robotics, automation systems, and quality control infrastructure to support scalable production of advanced underwater vehicles.

With this expansion, Vatn Systems is positioned to meet increasing global demand for intelligent, reconfigurable undersea systems tailored for contested maritime environments.