
주요국의 초대형 무인잠수정(XLUUV) 개발 동향 분석 및 시사점
Ⓒ 2026 Korea Society for Naval Science & Technology
초록
본 연구는 미래 해전의 게임체인저로 급부상하고 있는 주요국의 초대형 무인잠수정 개발 특징과 발전 동향을 분석하고, 한국의 해양 안보 및 전력구조에 주는 시사점을 제시하였다. 미국, 중국, 일본, 러시아 등 주요국은 국가별 군사전략과 작전 환경에 맞춰 차별화된 초대형 무인잠수정을 개발 중이다. 미국은 분산해양작전(DMO)을 위한 하이브리드 네트워크형, 중국은 도련선 내 해양거부(A2/AD) 및 장거리 타격형, 일본은 병력 부족 극복 및 해협 상시 감시형, 러시아는 비대칭 전략 핵억제 및 대잠전 기만형 플랫폼에 집중하고 있다. 이러한 주요국의 초대형 무인잠수정 발전 동향을 바탕으로 한국형 초대형 무인잠수정 발전방향을 제시한다.
Abstract
This study analyzes the development characteristics and trends of extra-large unmanned undersea vehicles (XLUUVs) which are rapidly emerging as game-changers in future naval warfare, and presents their implications for South Korea’s maritime security and force structure. Major nations, including the United States, China, Japan, and Russia, are currently developing differentiated XLUUV platforms tailored to their respective military strategies and operational environments. The United States focuses on hybrid networked systems for distributed maritime operations; China emphasizes anti-access/area denial within island chains and long-range strike capabilities; Japan concentrates on persistent strait surveillance to address personnel shortages; and Russia targets asymmetric strategic nuclear deterrence and anti-submarine warfare decoy platforms. Based on these developmental trends, this paper proposes development directions South Korea’s future XLUUV development.
Keywords:
Extra-Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicles, Distributed Maritime Operations, Anti-Access/Area Denial, MUM-T, Gap Filler키워드:
초대형 무인잠수정, 분산해양작전, 반접근지역거부, 유무인복합전투체계, 갭 필러References
- U.S. Navy, UUV Master Plan, 2004.
- U.S. NAVSEA, PMS 406 Unmanned Maritime Systems, 2021.
- U.S. CRS (R45757), Navy Large Unmanned Surface and Undersea Vehicles, 2022.
- U.S. CRS (R45757), Navy Large Unmanned Surface Vessels, 2026.
- HII, ‘HII Introduces Distributed Maritime Operations Framework in Support of U.S. Navy’s “Hedge Strategy”,’ 2026.
- Defense Mirror, ‘U.S. Navy to Receive Second Boeing Orca Autonomous Submarine in Early 2025,’ December 7, 2024.
- MI News Network, ‘U.S. Navy Funds 16 Boeing Orca Drone Submarines to Face China In The Indo-Pacific,’ May 15, 2026.
- DARPA, ‘Manta Ray UUV Prototype Completes In-Water Testing,’ DARPA Research News, May 2024.
- Defense News, ‘US Navy Partners with Anduril to Develop XL Underwater Vessel Under CAMP Program,’ March 12, 2026.
- Chen Chuanren, ‘China Rolls Out New Unmanned Underwater Systems in Parade,’ Asian Military Review, September 4, 2025.
- H. I. Sutton, ‘China’s New Underwater Drones Could Threaten West Coast U.S.,’ Naval News, October 12, 2025.
- H. I. Sutton, ‘China Moves Two Super-Sized XXL Uncrewed Submarines to South China Sea,’ Naval News, September 2025.
- Oishee Majumdar, ‘DSEI Japan 2025: Japan’s Navy Tests Long-Endurance UUV,’ JANES, May 21, 2025.
- ATLA, Defense Technology Strategy & R&D Vision, Japan Ministry of Defense, 2023.
- Redacción Zona Militar, ‘Japan’s Self-Defense Forces Plan the Development of Drones for Their Synchronized, Hybrid, Integrated, and Enhanced Coastal Defense,’ Zona Militar, November 7, 2025.
- Poseidon Class (Kanyon Class) Russian Unmanned Underwater Vehicle. https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/Poseidon_Class_(Kanyon_Class)_Russian_Unmanned, (accessed 2026.08.19.)
- Editorial Staff, ‘A Look at Russia’s Stealthy New Submarine ‘Arktur’: Designed to Launch Thermonuclear Strikes from the Far North,’ Military Watch Magazine, August 17, 2022.
- Parth Satam, ‘Underwater ‘Wingman’? Surrogat-V Drone Atop Russia’s Arktur Stealth Submarine Is a Decoy to Draw Fire & ‘Take a Hit on Itself’,’ The EurAsian Times, August 22, 2022. https://www.eurasiantimes.com/surrogat-v-drone-atop-russias-arktur-stealth-submarine/, (accessed 2026.08.20.)