Babcock plan would let Type 31 command US-built drone warships.
Babcock has set out a plan to turn the Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigates into command vessels for a fleet of large HII-built autonomous warships, forming what it calls “an architecture of disaggregated systems and platforms capable of independent operations and connected by world leading digital capabilities.”
The proposal, ARMOR Force, is presented as the industrial answer to the First Sea Lord’s demand for a Hybrid Navy and is framed as a direct enabler of Atlantic Bastion, Atlantic Shield and Atlantic Strike. Babcock says it will allow Type 31 to “control a networked force of large autonomous uncrewed vessels and systems” that can disperse anti-submarine, air defence and strike capabilities over wide areas.
The centrepiece is HII’s ROMULUS family of unmanned surface vessels. HII describes the drones as bringing “scale, autonomy and real operational advantage” through long endurance, rapid production and AI-enabled mission systems. The vessels are intended to deliver “sustained open ocean autonomy with a focus on lethality, cost efficiency, and scalability.”
Babcock will build the handling system to move modular PODS on and off the ROMULUS ships, creating a payload system that can quickly switch roles. The company says ARMOR Force also includes “modular containerised Persistent Operational Deployment Systems for rapid capability deployment and mission autonomy,” plus an autonomous mission system it plans to have “deployable by the end of 2026.”
Sir Nick Hine, Babcock Marine chief executive, said the proposal is meant to answer the First Sea Lord’s call for decisive change: “ARMOR Force is our response to the First Sea Lord’s call for a re-imagined Hybrid Navy. We are combining advanced autonomy, modular systems, and digital innovation to create a fleet that is more agile, resilient and ready for tomorrow’s challenges.”
HII chief executive Chris Kastner said the partnership is intended to reshape future fleets: “HII is proud to be part of this game-changing industry initiative. The ROMULUS family of USVs brings scale, autonomy and real operational advantage, and HII adds world-leading expertise across land, sea and air.”
Arondite’s Cobalt operating system will serve as the autonomous mission layer across the fleet. Chief executive Will Blyth said: “The future of maritime power will be defined by an adaptable blend of crewed and uncrewed systems. We have built Cobalt to tackle exactly this challenge.”
Babcock stresses that ARMOR Force is built on open commercial and NATO standards to ensure it can integrate with allied forces. Its Rosyth facility will lead development, supported by work on autonomy, real-time modelling, remote operations and mission-system integration.
If adopted, ARMOR Force would become the Navy’s first fully networked system designed to let a frigate command drone warships at scale, aligning directly with the new emphasis on autonomous sensors, dispersed lethality and rapid procurement.
Strange how little the FSL seems to mention the Type 31.
Possibly because he thinks Atlantic Bastion is the priority for getting the Navy funding, and T31 as the global frigate isn’t what he wants to emphasise.
Fantastic news, having fleets of state of the art, cutting edge, World class autonoomous ships to compliment all the other fantastic concepts.
Any Idea who’s paying ?
positively, this would make a type 31 ‘patrol frigate’ have the fighting power of a small task force with an ability to fight above, on, and below the surface. Combine it with Littoral Strike and some way to run aerial drones and it could be a really powerful force all built around just one conventional ship.
less positively, its a lot of parts to coordinate with one ship’s crew (plus maybe some minimally crewed ships). Moving that lot into a port visit could be quite a challenge I’d imagine. And there are a lot of points of failure in what would be quite a complex system.
Isn’t this exactly what the Type 32 is supposed to do?
Reading between the lines I think this is the proposal for Type 32 isn’t it?
Canada with their version of the T26 would be a useful addition to Norway and the UK T26 fleet. As for submarines Norwegian/Canadian SSKs could operate in the shallower waters around Northern Norway and the Greenland Iceland Gap with RN SSNs deep water Iceland UK Gap.
However, as I have pointed out before there seems to be a issue with RN numbers of the T26. As I understand it 3 T26s are to be used in a Carrier Strike Group, that leaves five with one carrier operational but if two had to be operational that leaves only two. With one in long refit and one in short refit, one working up we have no T26s left for the Atlantic bastion.
Yes I know, we have allies, but there could be a point where with no garantees of US support European navy’s could be stretched, so we need the numbers to fulfill some tasks ourselves such as carrier strike and blocking the GIUK Gap. We cannot always trust that allies would have the ability to support us when we need.
Really, a couple Type 26 is all that’s needed for a CSG, we don’t need that much ASW in one spot. And a Type 31 (if actually given the MK41) is a pretty capable ship that could easily enough carry plenty of air defence and anti ship missiles. And the Type 31 is a lot cheaper so perhaps a couple extra orders of those, properly equipped
Requires more funding, and what about MRSS, MCM, T83
Can we have real warships to go with the toy boats please? Things that can actually deploy to areas beyond the GIUK gap, defend themselves, and carry out other tasks. That means more T31, and maybe making more the the River 2s as J suggested if we get the Norwegian Patrol vessels.
Hi Daniele. Can I ask why you’d want more river 2’s? Without research, I’ve always had them down as very lightly armed patrol boats, basically for policing work and showing mild presence.
Don’t they lack any credible offensive/defensive weapons? I’m not sure where they fit into this sort of strategic thinking.
Probably toreplace the River 1’s and they are great assets to have in their intended roles. More areas covered.
I read that as making more of the Batch 2s. They can retain the overseas constabulary role with minor enhancements and the T31s reinforce European waters through this taskforce concept. But Rovers can mount OSO containers so might be made PODS-capable, meaning they could play a role too.
Typo errors, Jay!
Making more of.
I used to be in the camp of, leave them alone, their good at what they do. And I still am. But…with this news of the UK joining Norway with their OSV program, maybe we could do as Jonathan suggested and uparm the River B2s as light Frigates?
God, wish we had an edit function back.
“They’re” not their.
Another batch of T31, plus the 5 RB2s upgraded, could get the escort force back into the mid 20s.
They’re potentially capable assets, like other Northern European light Frigates as J also pointed out.
I’d prefer more T26 and T31 only, but lets be realistic, there are no more T26 coming for the RN, and I fear no more escorts end of.
Thus the RB2 upgrade idea.
Why the River 2’s? Stupidly expensive for what they do. No true weapons so poor for dangerous waters or even escorting Russian ships. They make good patrol ships for anti piracy and drug smuggling, but what could they do in Norway, it’s hardly a piracy hotspot.
We are losing the R1’s and as you say, they are good patrol ships for the jobs they do. ?
Their prices were inflated as a result of the TOBA and they were under armed versus versions in other navies or similar sized patrol ships
Don’t use them there. Use them elsewhere. I’m talking upgrading existing not building more.
I want more T31.
HII ? I don’t know if Babcock got the memo but they don’t exactly inspire confidence at the moment. Virgina class Late, Columbia class Late, Ford class Late the entire US ship building industry is struggling to deliver ships on time or on budget or both.
I think at present HII are getting HHI to assist them getting programmes back on schedule ! If someone had told me 20 years ago the mighty US SB industry would be getting Hyundai Heavy Industries to help out I’d have laughed out loud and advised them to add more water next time.
“Rosie the Riveter” must be rolling in her grave ☹️
PS It may also have escaped Babcocks attention but the RN has never bought any Foreign Warships ever. We may have Pinched or borrowed some and bought an “The American sector” and some guns to put in but that’s about it.