The Royal Navy has launched early market engagement for a new fleet of 20 uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) as part of its shift toward a hybrid naval force, according to a Ministry of Defence notice published on 5 November.
Known as Project Beehive, the initiative aims to support training, tactics, and warfare development while providing an experimental platform for autonomous systems.
The vessels will be used by the Surface Flotilla (SURFLOT) in UK and overseas operations, serving as testbeds for emerging technologies and new operational concepts.
According to the notice, “these platforms will be utilised for training, tactic development, warfare development, capability development, and operations in the UK Area of Responsibility and beyond.” The project will be run as a spiral development programme, with the first USVs expected to reach technology readiness levels 4 to 5 and to feature open architecture systems for future upgrades.
The Ministry of Defence stated that the USVs are “key to maintaining operational relevance against peer threats.” The new fleet will allow the Navy to trial advanced autonomous and hybrid capabilities under its ongoing “Hybrid Navy” transition, which aims to combine crewed and uncrewed systems across surface, subsurface, and air domains.
Work on the project will focus primarily in southern and southwestern regions of the UK. Engineering support for original equipment manufacturer integration and spiral upgrades will form part of the procurement process. The estimated value of the contract is £10 million, including VAT, with funding to be drawn partly from UK Defence Innovation. The MOD added that while the participation phase is moving forward, no tender will be issued until final spending approval is granted.
This follows a major trial in which five uncrewed boats, remotely piloted from over 500 miles away, surrounded HMS Tyne during a three-day demonstration off the Scottish coast. The exercise, led by the Navy’s Disruptive Capabilities and Technology Office and the Fleet Experimentation Squadron, marked what the service called a milestone in its move toward a Hybrid Navy of crewed and uncrewed platforms.
During the trial, live data and video from the 7.2-metre Rattler vessels were transmitted to controllers aboard the research ship Patrick Blackett in Portsmouth, enabling real-time coordination with HMS Tyne, HMS Stirling Castle, HMS Biter, and a Merlin helicopter. Commander Michael Hutchinson, who leads the Fleet Experimentation Squadron, said it was “a really important moment for the Royal Navy as we progress towards a Hybrid Navy of crewed and uncrewed platforms.”
Brigadier Jaimie Roylance, the Royal Navy’s Chief Technology Officer, described the event as “the first time we have been able to field a capable, mission-ready, deployable uncrewed system at sea.” He called it “an important moment in the history of the Royal Navy” and said that uncrewed systems will be vital for maintaining the UK’s maritime edge against evolving threats.
I assume this is more RIB or strike USV trials given the low budget, but it’s nice to see something new being bought in reasonable numbers ‘just’ for a trial.
I wonder if this is an indication that the industry is fed up of the MOD’s endless trial of their kit without ever actually buying anything.
“ the first USVs expected to reach technology readiness levels 4 to 5 ”
These are the highest levels of automation possible, with level 4 being geofenced – limited to a predefined geographical area for a mission and not requiring a human for operation.
Level 5 is fully self-sufficient automation, and currently does not exist – hence the requirement for spiral upgrades in the future.
Isn’t TRL something different, to do with how well developed and trustworthy the systems are?
I think it goes above 5, I’ve seen references to US programmes being at TRL 7 etc.
You mean the TRL originally developed by NASA and now ISO 16290:2013?
TRL 4 is “validated in a lab” and I’m pretty sure they’re way beyond that if they’re looking at actual deployable systems.
Need to find the original news source I think to find out what is actually specified…
PFFT,
Even Jim’s Wife’s Hoover is level 4.
Autonomy level 4 is ‘the vehicle can operate independently of control within a limited area’ so Jim’s robot hoover is very much level 4!
Exactly.
“Sweeping Edge Technology”.
Crikey,as an aside, the Royal Marines appear to be taking over the Royal Navy. Is this their way of keeping themselves out of the clutches of the army? Just looked on Wiki at how many ‘senior’ RMs there are and the jobs they hold. Matelots complain about the number of Admirals, it’s worth a look!
20 ?
That’s almost 4 Swarms worth.
This is truly game changing, who knew that you could remote control four boats from 500 miles away. What wonders the modern age has.
keep the trials going guys you are truly doing great service to the Nation.
hopefully you come up with some suitable classical literature references and four letter acronyms. 🙂
I got a 3 letter one,
They are like the Aston Martins of the Sea, so DBS (Drone Boat Swarm).
we could go with 8 in a V formation giving DBS V8.
Rumour on the streets is a “Per Mile” charge being considered for EV’s.
Time to get that Tesla Off Roader me thinks.
Yet more looking to buy, might buy, want to buy, the MOD do that a lot along with long winded statements but simply do not place orders. It is right to trial and evaluate kit. How ever that is all they ever seem to do on the face of it. Of course not all orders are public but the big kit needed is still sat in the shop with the skint MOD just window shopping whilst pumping out statements of hot air.
Why doe it bother me, because the Army needs a lot kit now not next year or 2030, Next pier to peir war will be short, violent and who has the kit to hand will win, not who may have it some time in the future. It will at a big guess a go with what you got war not go with what might have one day. As always those on the ground will pay the price for under spend or dame out right neglect.
Fishead stuff. Believe it when it happens. Do not hold breath.
Bite me.
Love and hugs Light Infantry
Are you OK John ?
This “Bite me” thing seems to be a consistent request, do you taste like Chicken, are you hot and spicy, are your pickles super hot ?
If so, call me a cab and I’ll turn Cannibal😁😁😁
🙂 I just invite the “experts” on here to offer their opinions mate. There are so many. Secret squirrel? It was a platoon thing in NI, we would invite certain sections of the community to “bite us”. Part of a pre PC days initiative to promote inclusion and diversity. It always worked.
20 more RIBs