UK Royal Navy launches autonomous craft from submarine during trials
The UK Royal Navy has been undertaking a series of trials to demonstrate the launch and recovery of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) from submarines.
The Royal Navy said the torpedo tube-launched UUVs will increase the capability options for UK nuclear-powered attack submarines and support underwater reconnaissance, underwater communications, and seabed warfare missions.
A recent trial in the Mediterranean, under Project Scylla, demonstrated the successful launch and recovery of the vehicles.
The navy said Project Scylla is being delivered through AUKUS pillar two, which develops advanced capabilities to benefit both Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic security.
This trial is a demonstration of the pace at which new capabilities can be developed when working closely with international partners, according to the navy.
The trial was delivered by the Submarine Delivery Agency’s Autonomy Unit in partnership with L3Harris.
"Delivery of these trials demonstrates our commitment to the use of advanced capabilities as part of a future hybrid fleet and are a big step forward in delivering new capability to the Submarine Service," Commodore Marcus Rose, Deputy Director Underwater Battlespace Capabilities, remarked.
