Lockheed Martin introduced Lamprey, a novel autonomous undersea vehicle that physically attaches to the hulls of ships and submarines for covert transport. This highly modular system can then launch aerial drones, torpedoes, and decoys, or conduct intelligence gathering. Its design directly addresses the U.S. Navy's demand for discreet, distributed sea denial capabilities.

The vehicle's core innovation is its parasitic deployment method, mimicking the lamprey eel. Powered by a hydrogenerator, it can recharge while hitched or lying in wait on the seabed. This allows for persistent, hidden positioning in strategic chokepoints or littoral zones, complicating an adversary's ability to monitor vast maritime areas.

For defense contractors, Lamprey represents a significant shift toward reusable, multi-role unmanned systems that promise cost-effective force multiplication. Lockheed's demonstrated integration with crewed platforms like submarines and potential data-sharing with aircraft like the F-35 positions it favorably for future Navy procurement focused on networked drone swarms and persistent undersea dominance.