The first crewless boat for general duties with the Royal Navy
has been launched, ready for trials to see how it – and similar
craft – might fit into the ‘fleet of tomorrow’.
More than £3m is being invested in the crewless Pacific 24 boat –
and other autonomous small craft technology.
The boats could operate individually – or in groups – racing over
the ocean at speeds of up to 38 knots (nearly 44mph).
The Pacific 24 has been the backbone of sea boat operations from
Royal Navy warships for more than a quarter of a century, with
the latest variant, the Mark 4, introduced four years ago.
The boats are fundamental to life-saving search-and-rescue
duties, serve as the springboard for commandos and sailors on
board-and-search operations looking for drugs in the Caribbean
and Middle East, and ferry personnel and stores between ships or
from ship to shore.
But there may be occasions when a crewless vessel might perform
the same, similar, or even entirely new missions.
Minister for Defence Procurement said:
“Commencing the trials of the crewless Pacific 24 boat is an
important stepping stone in the Royal Navy’s development of its
autonomous capability to ensure our fleet remains at the
forefront of military innovation and technology, ready to meet
the evolving threats of modern warfare.”
The crewless Pacific 24 is sponsored by NavyX – the specialist
wing of the Royal Navy dedicated to rapidly developing, testing
and trialling cutting-edge and new technologies for use on the
front line.
The team has worked in partnership with BAE Systems, who build
the Pacific 24 in Portsmouth, to commission the new boat.
A prototype, controlled from frigate HMS Argyll, debuted at the
DSEI defence/technology showcase in London last September, since
when BAE and the Navy have pressed ahead with a working model fit
for the front line.
While the boat’s hull and propulsion system remain the same, the
control system and sensors have been changed/added to allow for
autonomous movement – a sailor should be able to give the
unmanned craft generic tasking, and the boat will decide for
itself how it carries out that task.
The potential of the autonomous boat will only truly be realised
when it is put “in the hands of the warfighter” – it will begin
trials with a Royal Navy warship later this year which should
determine whether the UK invests in a fleet of such craft or just
a few for specific missions.
“The autonomous Pacific 24 is not just a step change for the
Royal Navy in unmanned operations, it also ensures the Navy
remains at the forefront of technological improvement and
innovation,” said Lieutenant Commander Rob Manson of the NavyX
team.
“While initial tasks are likely to be familiar to those who
already operate a Pacific 24, the autonomous nature of this craft
adds huge capability and flexibility.
“Additionally, this capability can be constantly improved,
allowing continuous updates and capability upgrades, resulting in
regular additions to the toolbox of operational planners.”
Brooke Hoskins, Products and Training Services Director at BAE
Systems said: “It’s fantastic to see the Royal Navy’s first
autonomous Pacific 24 enter the water.
“This milestone has been a goal since we first demonstrated the
unmanned capabilities of our Pacific boats to them last year.
“It is a key step in supporting NavyX, turning what was
originally an innovative research and development experiment into
a fielded capability for the Royal Navy.
“We are proud to support the Royal Navy’s autonomous
requirements, which includes increasing its operational
effectiveness whilst reducing the burden on, or threat to, its
sailors.”
Trials with the new craft begin this month, followed by
integrating it into a front-line warship’s combat and navigation
systems later in the year.
