In a significant step for the AUKUS alliance, the Royal Navy has successfully demonstrated its ability to operate and control autonomous and uncrewed systems in coordination with the Australian and US Navies, according to a Royal Navy news update.

The exercise, called Autonomous Warrior, was part of the AUKUS Maritime Big Play series, which saw around 30 uncrewed systems put to the test in Jervis Bay, Australia, as each nation assessed the interoperability and tactical benefits of the others’ autonomous assets.

Among the technology tested, the Royal Navy trialled the Strike Net system, which allows operators to remotely control drones and vessels from different allied nations, demonstrating shared control of assets between the UK, Australia, and the US. Autonomous Warrior provided a proving ground for these advanced systems, with units performing in operational scenarios to gauge performance and coordination under varied conditions.

Australia’s Bluebottle autonomous vessel played a crucial role by collecting environmental data using advanced cameras and sensors, with the gathered information accessible to all participating nations. The UK’s SONIX system, designed for anti-submarine warfare, was also deployed, relaying data from sonobuoys to identify and track potential threats. These systems, according to Rear Admiral James Parkin, Director Develop for the Royal Navy, could significantly increase the “mass, persistence and lethality” of the allied navies, showing the potential of uncrewed systems to enhance collaborative defence capabilities.

In a Royal Navy news release, Rear Admiral Parkin was quoted as saying, “This exercise has unlocked the potential of autonomous and uncrewed systems that will increase the mass, persistence and lethality of the Royal Navy, Royal Australian Navy, and the US Navy.” The exercise, he explained, offered a unique opportunity for the three AUKUS partners to “accelerate capability development together, learn lessons from each other and our innovative companies, and to develop our concepts of operations for the future.”

Additionally, representatives from Japan observed the exercise, signifying Japan’s interest in future interoperability under AUKUS, particularly in maritime autonomous systems, as the country explores initial collaborative efforts with AUKUS under Pillar Two of the agreement.

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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Spyinthesky
Spyinthesky (@guest_867267)
1 day ago

Good news about Japans increasing interest. A vital pillar in defence in this region.

Peter Feltham
Peter Feltham (@guest_867278)
1 day ago

Time for the West in rapidly running out.USA,GB,AUSTRALIA,JAPAN,INDIA,etc must quickly get their act together.Defence equipment usualy has a very long gestation period,time is no longer on our side.

Jack
Jack (@guest_867305)
1 day ago
Reply to  Peter Feltham

You seem to be a big fan of India, are you not worried about their closeness to Putin’s Russia ?

Andy reeves
Andy reeves (@guest_867719)
17 minutes ago
Reply to  Jack

we all should be. the number of nations cozying up to the Russians is a genuine worry India in the main is one of the Russian governments biggest allies.

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF (@guest_867310)
1 day ago

Ironically, the more the AUKUS partnership thrives, the greater the geopolitical pressure may be on the ChiComs to accelerate aggression in the SCS and beyond. By the 2040s, AUKUS will not only be producing next gen SSNs (RN vwrsion potentially equipped w/ SLCM-N) under Pillar I, but additionally, myriad other technologies and weapon systems will be developed under the auspices of Pillar II initiatives. Reasonably certain a significant number of allies will eventually join various Pillar Ii initiatives, when feasible. ChiComs understand trends and the tides of history, and may well be tempted to initiate hostilities, while the West is… Read more »

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF (@guest_867312)
1 day ago
Reply to  FormerUSAF

…RN version…🙄

lordtemplar
lordtemplar (@guest_867344)
1 day ago

Off topic Fairly big fire at the BAE nuclear submarine plant in Barrow which started around midnight. 2 people in hospital (suspected smoke inhalation) No nuclear risk questions: was this a welding accident like has happened recently in France with La Perle sub? not sure if BAE uses multiple daily shifts 24/7. If not, it seems suspicious to have a welding fire at midnight if no shifts. so could it be sabotage? not that i am a conspiracy theorist by nature but just recently UK arms factory have been sabotaged by “activists” (Elbit, Leonardo, Thales). Also back in 2023, there… Read more »

Last edited 1 day ago by lordtemplar
Joe16
Joe16 (@guest_867400)
1 day ago
Reply to  lordtemplar

My thoughts also…
I guess we won’t know about impact to delivery of subs until/if we are told what burned. But hopefully it was just a bit of kit outside of a hull in the hall.

Oscar Zulu
Oscar Zulu (@guest_867374)
1 day ago

Not mentioned in the article, but underwater images emerging from Autonomous Warrior show that it was also the first outing of the RAN’s Ghost Shark XL-AUV in a multilateral exercise.

The Ghost Shark is comparable in size the USN’s Orca, making the RAN the second Western navy to field an XL-AUV. The RN’s Project Cetus is at least two years away although Autonomous Warrior would have provided an invaluable exchange of technical and operational information for all navies involved.

Jon
Jon (@guest_867424)
1 day ago
Reply to  Oscar Zulu

I thought Cetus was suppose to be delivering fairly soon. Wasn’t the original date for sea trials supposed to be next month (days/weeks away)? Is there a new published delivery date?

Oscar Zulu
Oscar Zulu (@guest_867441)
23 hours ago
Reply to  Jon

I think you are right. Cetus seems more advanced than I had read from some sources.

The first of the 3 Ghost Shark prototypes was unveiled publicly in April 2024 although it had been in the water undergoing trials for many months before hand. Full rate production is planned for 2025.

Andy reeves
Andy reeves (@guest_867720)
1 minute ago
Reply to  Jon

will cetus be a better option for the role proteus is slated to do? an armed system of Cetus can be a massive force multiplier stationed strategically around the globe possibly being used in the SSK role it could make our paltry submarine service treble in size very quickly with a very large number of number of these vessels.certainly worth investing in while we have the lead over many other navy’s around the globe how much are these! how fast can we build them. faster than barrow Cathars for sure.

Andy reeves
Andy reeves (@guest_867718)
21 minutes ago

id like to know if the royal navy’s mad fox was in the exercise. it’s all been very quiet on the system for ages an exciting looking machine with masses of potential to a major force multiplier in the real world of modern warfare.

Last edited 20 minutes ago by Andy reeves