Under its Hybrid Navy strategy, royal navy stands up first autonomous boat squadron for front-line operations
From experiment to operations
The new squadron takes over from Project Beehive, the navy’s programme to develop a fleet of autonomous and remotely operated craft. That project secured 20 uncrewed boats from UK-based Kraken Technology Group.
The force is understood to operate Kraken’s K3 Scout and SYOS Aerospace’s SM400, which the Royal Navy calls the Rattler. The squadron will test how uncrewed vessels can be used in operational settings.
Building experience at sea
A key task is to help establish how more uncrewed surface vessels can enter fleet service. The squadron will work with other organizations, operating boats individually and within task groups.
At the launch, Fleet Commander Vice-Admiral Steve Moorhouse described the occasion as historic. He also cautioned that the seas are increasingly contested, dangerous and difficult to operate in.
The K3 Scout’s capabilities
The K3 Scout measures 8.4 metres and can reach speeds of 55 knots. It can carry a payload of up to 600 kilograms, with a stated range of as much as 650 nautical miles and endurance of up to seven days.
Kraken says the craft can support missions including anti-ship and anti-submarine work, detecting and countering other drones, and casualty evacuation. The article does not specify which missions the Royal Navy plans to assign to the squadron.
Other uncrewed systems
The navy also recently launched strike drones from an aircraft carrier for the first time, using BAE Systems’ Nyan one-way drones and a Tekever AR5 fixed-wing uncrewed aircraft. The British Army has selected the AR5 to replace its Watchkeeper fleet.
The article also reports that the UK’s Titania military satellite was launched aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-18 mission. Titania is the second satellite in the country’s growing military constellation, after Tyche, launched in October, and will be operated by UK Space Command under the ISTARI* program.
Key points
- The Royal Navy has commissioned its first squadron of uncrewed boats for front-line operations.
- The squadron follows Project Beehive, which secured 20 boats from Kraken Technology Group.
- The force is understood to use the K3 Scout and the SM400, known as the Rattler.
- The squadron will develop experience and help bring additional uncrewed surface vessels into fleet service.