In a dramatic demonstration, a drone successfully ‘dropped bombs’ on the Royal Navy’s experimental vessel, XV Patrick Blackett, as part of the uncrewed systems training exercise REPMUS24 held off the coast of Portugal.
The event, which took place in Troia, showcased the Royal Navy’s use of autonomous systems in military exercises designed to push the limits of cutting-edge technology.
The UAV Rotron drone performed the artificial bomb drop as part of the Royal Navy’s broader experimentation with uncrewed systems, marking a significant development in autonomous warfare capabilities. Personnel from 27 nations, including the UK, participated in the exercise, designed to test and integrate these technologies into operational task groups.
The REPMUS (Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping Maritime Uncrewed Systems) exercise is NATO’s annual event focused on advancing uncrewed systems. XV Patrick Blackett, the Royal Navy’s testbed for new maritime technologies, played a central role in the trials, which also involved a wide range of other uncrewed systems, including mini quadcopters, surveillance drones, and autonomous Pacific 24 ribs.
Building on last year’s exercise, the Royal Navy tested various uncrewed aerial vehicles, including Peregrine, Puma, and Ebee Vision drones. Additionally, NavyPODS, specialised shipping containers, were used as operations rooms, command centres, and storage for the uncrewed systems.
The exercise also contributed to progress under the AUKUS agreement, a key defence and security partnership between the UK, Australia, and the United States. Through exercises like REPMUS24, NATO and its allies continue to refine and test emerging autonomous technologies to enhance future military operations.
Off topic, but Healey is reported as seeking legal advice on the terms of the FSS contract – considering options.
And you’ve got to wonder about the MRSS too despite their earlier statement of commitment.
Personally I think the MRSS programme is way to ambitious anyway. Look realistically what the RNs amphibious capabilities have been this decade..it’s been 4 ships in active commission..I would bet money on the MRSS never going above four and if it means the RN can fund and crew another batch of 5 T31s to take the escort fleet up to 24 I think that would be a very sound decision.
consider this at present in the 2030s the fleet is heading for
2 very large carriers
6 MRSS
3 FSS
4 large replenishment oilers
or 15 very large targets that would need protection in war..and only 19 escorts..at present and on future plans the RN is a profoundly unbalanced fleet.
consider the other 2 European blue water navies in 2030s
Italy will will have 30 escorts to protect 9 large targets (2 carriers 3 amphibious vessels and 4 replenishment). 2 of these escorts will be 13,000 ton heavy destroyers, 16 7000+ ton high end escorts and 12 5000 middle road GP patrol frigates
france has the same sort of warping issue as the RN but will try and cover this in the 2030s with a 3000 ton patrol frigate.for 21 escorts ( but 6 will be minimalist 3000 ton patrol frigates and I will say the RN escort fleet will be of better quality) its also looking at a large OPV fleet of vessels ( 7-10) that will have sonar, small ship flight, rapid fire medium gun and maybe a CIWS SAM. To protect it will have 1 carrier, 3 amphibious vessels and 4 replenishment vessels..for 8 large targets.
The RN really does need a significant focus on escorts..as dropping to 14 when the 97 defence review was clear 32 have been needed is and will be a major problem..and in reality the RN should have 30 escorts.
The French uses the Jacques Chevalier class – a bigger version of Italian Vulcano – to replenish and also do weapon supply to their carrier., they tested recently to resupply VLS under way.
Can’t RN do the same?
They cannot now because they have built 4 brand new 39,000 ton fleet oilers. Not sure why the RN could not have done as the French and Italians have done and have say 4 30-40,000ton multi role fleet support ships…but they have splashed on 4 oilers and 3 solid stores ships..so now they are going to run 7 40,000 vessels.
Yes, Jonathan’s comment is spot on. The fleet is unbalanced. As my grandmother used to say at meal time ‘your eyes are bigger than your belly’ 🙂
That will be because of the failure of one of the core contract holders, you would expect nothing less..if they shipbuilders are looking like not being able to complete then NMG need another option..I suspect they may be trying to shift the contract to either BAE and or Babcock, at worst they will look for a quick cheap out of country build..but I would be surprised.
actual changes in numbers will not be something that happens before the defence review.
Govt priority will be UK jobs and cost saving.
I will be interesting to see which one they prioritise in this case as I don’t think they can do both..unless the drop the FSS down to 2 ships..which is possible because in the end they have been running for a long time with one knackered combined solid stores and tanker…so two is better than what they have had for a long time..and the tide class are perfectly capable of replenishing a frigate or other single deployment for solid stores.
my personal view would be 4 tides, 2 FSS and 4 MRSS would be a reasonable compromise to get to 24 good full sized and equipped escorts as at present the RN is very unbalanced.
Agree your point about unbalanced. Regarding Fort Vic I found this answer to an April 29th 2024 parliamentary question ( by Lord West).
“RFA FORT VICTORIA is in a scheduled refit package to prepare her for future service. Her upkeep will enable her to fulfil future operations”.
Fort Vic is slated for CSG2025; your suggestion of 2 or even just 1 FSS to supplement Fort Vic would be a capability upgrade.
Healey must be aware that the priorities are to resolve the FRA pay dispute and address recruitment and retention in both the RN and the RFA.
After that the priority must be to complete the new frigates and get them crewed and into service properly armed.
What to do about MRSS if money is short? The LPDs are capable young ships. If we could fix recruitment and crew them, with the QEs, Argus and the Bays you could argue we have a decent expeditionary capability for a while. Worth noting that a T31 can lily pad a chinook and has 80 spare bunks.
I wonder if it makes sense to build the first FSS and the first MRSS in parallel. There’s also the question of T32. How urgent are the 3 bespoke MCM motherships the RN would like? I read somewhere they have concluded after reviewing the trials that Sterling Castle is not the answer.
Is that because the yard is about to be bought out by Navantia a Spanish conglomerate? Therefore a breach of contract in that not a UK owned yard anymore?
The H&W holding company is going into receivership..no govt loan forthcoming. I think the government sees this a problem = opportunity 🤔
How is this cutting edge?
This is ancient, in drone terms, technology.
I can see the point of using this to deal with swarming boats etc. Except that a drone won’t be too useful dotting between fast moving craft. So ‘what is it for?’
Could be about supporting RM…
Amazing. The UK, with all it’s alleged technological might, has managed to copy something the Ukrainians have been doing for the last two years with store bought parts. Makes you proud to be British, eh?
Just so. Looks like a radio control Bristol Belvedere!
Did it just hover above the boat or did it do a bombing run?
AA
I am also bemused by this primitive “Heath Robinson” UAV and the image of bombs raining down the ship’s stern
Lisa sterted:
“In a dramatic demonstration, a drone successfully ‘dropped bombs’ on the Royal Navy’s experimental vessel, XV Patrick Blackett”……..The word dramatic and successfully are worrying me
Can someone please tell me these WW1 bombs didn’t dent the deck of our latest RN ship or worse😧
Why would they not? WW1 bombs still explode and the ships today have no armor.
Hopefully they’re rubber ones.
The Ukrainians aren’t doing anything new really. Drone racing has been a thing since 2011. Dropping simple bombs from aircraft is something GB was doing in the Great War.
Italo-Turkish war of 1912 was the first instance of bombs ( or grenades in this case) being dropped from an aeroplane
No doubt these drones have or will, find their way into Ukraine hands!
Well done MOD UK at fueling the fire:(
Or …. the MOD. Providing the means to kill Russians. Which is a win for the rest of Europe. No one will have anything to do with the Russians for a generation. They are pariahs.
Russia invading, occupying, annexing UKR, murdering. stealing, raping & kidnapping UKR kids, trying to eradicate a free UKR might have a bit more to do with fuelling the war.