The 34-foot underwater vehicle can haul several tons of cargo. Its panels and components fold flat for transport in a 20-foot container, packaged for quick assembly or disassembly with simple tools.

“We’re kind of a pickup truck of the ocean. We can bring big, heavy things into position,” Rosenthal told USNI News on Wednesday while standing next to the extra-large, UUV variant parked on a submarine pier at Naval Base Point Loma. “It’s much bigger and much heavier than any other vehicle that’s out there.”

Hadalus-XL might not be the sexiest tech, but the utility of such an autonomous vehicle is meant to be clear to maritime commanders needing to resupply forces, track an enemy submarine, counter-attack or call for fire support.

“What wins wars is logistics,” Rosenthal said