The RN has launched project VANQUISH, seeking proposals from industry for a Fixed-Wing, Short Take Off and Landing, Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP). This is the first step towards meeting the First Sea Lord’s vision for a large technical demonstrator UAS to be flown from an aircraft carrier in a very short timeframe According to the […] The post Royal Navy aims for jet-powered carrier-launched drone at sea within two years first appeared on Navy Lookout.| Navy Lookout
As part of the Royal Navy’s Future Air Dominance System (FADS) concept, BAE Systems has proposed low-cost, rapidly-built uncrewed/ minimally crewed vessels to supplement the Type 83 destroyer. Drawing on the legacy of the Triton trimaran demonstrator built for the RN in 2000, the proposed Sensor-Effector Platforms (SEP), could form a key element of the […] The post BAE Systems’ large uncrewed warship proposal first appeared on Navy Lookout.| Navy Lookout
A lightweight towed array sonar developed by SEA has been successfully integrated and trialled with the Manta XLUUV. This combination of technologies has significant implications for anti-submarine warfare, seabed warfare and underwater surveillance capabilities. The 9-metre Manta uncrewed submersible built by MSubs in 2020 has been conducting a series of trials and experiments off Plymouth,| Navy Lookout - Independent Royal Navy news and analysis
The RN has released a short video detailing plans for its first XLUAV, acquired under project CETUS, which has now been launched and named XV Excalibur. Here we summarise the presentation and the future of the programme. Tracking adversary submarines in the North Atlantic remains one of the RN’s most pressing operational imperatives. To achieve| Navy Lookout - Independent Royal Navy news and analysis
In this guest article, David O’Sullivan considers the challenges of the RN's project CABOT that aims to create an anti-submarine barrier in the North Atlantic based predominantly on autonomous platforms. Project CABOT builds on the RN's previous study outputs under Project CHARYBDIS and the UK-led NATO ASW Barrier Smart Defence initiative. Designed to boost maritime| Navy Lookout - Independent Royal Navy news and analysis
BAE Systems unveiled the third iteration of the Herne extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicle (XLUUV) at DSEI 2025. This will be available for the Royal Navy or export customers to purchase as an operational platform from the end of 2026. Iterating fast This latest version, ‘Herne Mk 3’, represents continued progress from the prototype shown in| Navy Lookout - Independent Royal Navy news and analysis
On 28th July, the US Navy issued an urgent requirement to industry for a new class of modular, medium to large-sized Uncrewed Surface Vessels. This is not another experimental project but a funded, credible and determined drive to add mass and lethality to an over-stretched fleet. There is growing concern in Washington over the USN's| Navy Lookout - Independent Royal Navy news and analysis
In this guest article, Pete Spayne argues that the UK’s fixation with the latest uncrewed systems, artificial intelligence tools and data projects risks becoming a costly distraction. He argues that without matching investment in training, infrastructure and sustainment, new technology may look impressive on trials day but fails to deliver lasting frontline capability. UK Defence| Navy Lookout - Independent Royal Navy news and analysis
In a modest but significant step for AUKUS collaboration, the RN’s experimental extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicle, XV Excalibur, will be remotely operated by Australian Navy personnel from Australia during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, while the vehicle remains in UK waters. The operation is a live demonstration of interoperability in the autonomous undersea domain, linking UK| Navy Lookout - Independent Royal Navy news and analysis
In this guest article, Tom Rooney considers the impact of uncrewed systems and artificial intelligence on the undersea battle. In the quiet expanse of the North Atlantic, an old strategic contest is being redrawn. Once the domain of Cold War cat-and-mouse games, the world of submarines has re-emerged as a fulcrum of 21st-century power politics.| Navy Lookout - Independent Royal Navy news and analysis
In a significant step forward for undersea warfare capability, the Royal Navy has successfully launched and recovered an uncrewed underwater vehicle from a submerged submarine during recent trials in the Mediterranean. The breakthrough was achieved as part of Project SCYLLA, which is being delivered under AUKUS Pillar 2 and focuses on developing advanced technologies to| Navy Lookout - Independent Royal Navy news and analysis
In less than three years, Ukraine has achieved staggering successes against the Russian navy in the Black Sea through an agile, low-cost campaign of uncrewed surface vehicles (USV) and drone strikes. Here we look at the details of this campaign and the profound implications for procurement, tactics and doctrine for global navies. The impact has| Navy Lookout - Independent Royal Navy news and analysis
In this guest article, Kamil Sadowski considers how navies may employ surface platforms to counter the evolving threat from UUVs. There are many Autonomous/Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (UUV) programs either in development or available today for both military and non-military applications. At present the majority of operational naval UUVs are employed in mine warfare or hydrographic| Navy Lookout - Independent Royal Navy news and analysis
