The Royal Navy commissioned its first autonomous squadron at HMNB Portsmouth on November 5.
The squadron has around 180 personnel, a complement the navy compares with that of a Type 23 frigate. They are divided into two watches to sustain round-the-clock operations.
The unit takes over from Project Beehive, a programme established to acquire autonomous and uncrewed boats for testing hybrid navy technologies. Its remit covers frontline operations, the introduction of more uncrewed surface vessels (USV) and continued capability development.
The squadron will operate vessels independently and as part of task groups, working alongside other organisations and international partners. Commanding officer Commander Helen Coxon said the immediate priorities are putting vessels into service, developing operators' skills and tactics, and introducing further uncrewed systems.
Kraken and Rattler vessels were steered around Portsmouth Harbour from a control hub during the ceremony.
Navy Develop, the Disruptive Capabilities and Technologies Office and the Capability Accelerator team will be involved in expanding the squadron. The navy said its wider move to a hybrid fleet is backed by £1.5 billion ($2 billion) over four years.
"A hybrid navy is about giving our people better tools. It means more reach, more striking power and more options," Fleet Commander Vice-Admiral Steve Moorhouse said at the launch.
The Royal Navy ordered 20 uncrewed boats from Kraken Technology Group under Beehive in March. Two of the resulting K3 Scouts carried out a coordinated search and escort mission in Portsmouth in September.