Artificial Intelligence for the Undersea System Life Cycle

Complex undersea systems, such as uncrewed underwater vehicles, operate in challenging ocean conditions that limit direct human control and supervision. To accomplish real-world missions, these systems must continuously monitor the surrounding operating environment, analyze any collected data, decide on an appropriate response, and take action. Beyond the subsea domain, artificial intelligence is revolutionizing how large datasets are analyzed and understood. Many of these artificial intelligence tools and approaches, including machine learning algorithms, have the potential to support four major undersea system life cycle stages: conceptualization, development, utilization (operation), and support (maintenance). This paper provides basic background information about autonomy, artificial intelligence, the system life cycle, and modern undersea systems of interest. Representative examples are used to define current and potential use-cases for artificial intelligence within each specific life cycle stage. Ultimately, recommendations for future work are presented, offering structured guidance for naval architects and ocean engineers to better integrate artificial intelligence into domain-wide research and development activities.