The U.K. Royal Navy has demonstrated the launch and recovery of autonomous vehicles from an Astute-class submarine.
The Submarine Delivery Agency said the tests were carried out in the Mediterranean under Project Scylla in cooperation with L3Harris Technologies.
The torpedo tube-launched vehicles are designed to improve the capabilities of British nuclear-powered submarines, supporting underwater reconnaissance and communications, and seabed warfare missions.
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AUKUS Security Partnership
The effort is part of AUKUS Pillar 2, an initiative to produce advanced capabilities that would ensure security in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions. The AUKUS trilateral security partnership involving Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States aims to enhance defense capabilities through improved information sharing and greater integration of security and defense industries.
“Delivery of these trials demonstrates our commitment to the use of advanced capabilities as part of a future hybrid fleet and is a big step forward in delivering new capability to the submarine service,” said Cdre. Marcus Rose, Royal Navy deputy director for underwater battlespace capabilities.