An initial £1 million contract has been awarded to
Plymouth-based MSubs Ltd to build a test submarine that
will be used to explore the potential capabilities of
larger uncrewed underwater vehicles in the future.
Measuring about 30m in length, this extra-large autonomous
submarine is significantly larger than autonomous
submarines used for beach reconnaissance, allowing it to
operate at a range of 3000 nautical miles.
Admiral Tony Radakin, First Sea Lord announced the contract
at the Underwater Defence & Security Symposium in
Southampton. The First Sea Lord noted how the Ministry of
Defence wants to increase its presence in the underwater
battlespace and is exploring the use of extra-large
uncrewed underwater vehicles (XLUUV) for surveillance,
reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare operations.
Admiral Tony Radakin, First Sea Lord said:
I am enormously excited about the potential for remotely
piloted and autonomous systems to increase our reach and
lethality, improve our efficiency and reduce the number
of people we have to put in harm’s way.
These XLUUVs are at the forefront of underwater systems
technology; UK technological developments such as this
will be key to the Royal Navy maintaining its
battle-winning edge in the underwater environment.
XLUUV submarines are especially adept at covert
intelligence gathering. They can leave their dock
autonomously and secretly move to the operational area
without any embarked crew for up to three months. They are
also able to sense hostile targets and report their
findings back to the station, making them an important
barrier for anti-submarine warfare.
Defence Minister said:
Submersible autonomous vessels have huge potential and
this project could be a game-changer for the UK’s
underwater capability, taking our submarine service to
the next level.
I am pleased that this funding supports MSubs Ltd., a UK
based company committed to innovation and research in the
autonomous sector.
This is a key example of how defence is doing more than
ever before to give industry the opportunity to research
innovative new technology.
DASA delivery manager Adam Moore said:
DASA’s involvement is enabling this technology to advance
at a much quicker pace and to deliver new capabilities to
the Royal Navy years earlier than otherwise possible –
making sure the UK stays ahead of our adversaries.
Not only will this enhance the UK’s strategic advantage
but also boost UK prosperity by supporting small and
medium-sized companies like MSubs in Plymouth.
The first phase of DASA’s Developing the Royal Navy’s
Autonomous Underwater Capability programme - run jointly
with the Royal Navy and Defence Science and Technology
Laboratory (Dstl) - will see an existing crewed submersible
refitted with autonomous control systems.
If initial testing is successful, up to a further £1.5
million is available to further test the new capability –
making it the largest joint contract awarded as part of a
DASA competition.
Currently, smaller autonomous and remotely piloted
submarines are unable to undertake all the tasks of larger
crewed submarines.
Paddy Dowsett from MSubs said:
We are thrilled to be awarded this contract through DASA,
and have the opportunity to work with defence scientists
and experts to develop new and advanced capabilities for
the Royal Navy.
This funding will allow the Royal Navy to better
understand their future roles and for us to remain at the
forefront of Extra Large Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles
(XLUUV) design and manufacture in Europe.
