Soldiers are set to be better protected, and Army surveillance
operations enhanced, following a successful trial in which a
single operator controlled three uncrewed air and land vehicles.
The trials, conducted by the Defence Science and Technology
Laboratory (Dstl), proved that robotic and autonomous systems
(RAS) can be integrated into and controlled from crewed command
vehicles, in a UK first.
Drawing on lessons from Ukraine's battlefields, this innovative
use of RAS will play a vital role in strengthening the Army's
reconnaissance capabilities while reducing risk to personnel,
allowing them to operate further from the frontline.
The live trial took place on Salisbury Plain with a drone
operated in tandem with two uncrewed ground vehicles, commanded
by a single operator in a crewed vehicle. The autonomous systems
were equipped with cameras and automatic target recognition
software to detect and classify threats, which were relayed to
the mission operator.
Following recommendations set out in the Strategic Defence
Review, this government is doubling investment in autonomous
technology - investing an extra £2 billion this Parliament,
following the Prime Minister's historic uplift in defence
spending to 2.5% of GDP from 2027. This will see autonomous
systems, including drones, improve accuracy and lethality for our
Armed Forces, boost UK export potential and drive jobs and growth
across the country.
Thales designed and developed the trial for Dstl, supported by a
number of specialist technology suppliers. Dstl's work supports
thousands of highly skilled jobs across the UK supply chain,
including 7,000 staff employed by Thales directly, supporting the
government's Plan for Change.
Following the success of the trial, Dstl will apply the concept
to further missions, including deploying swarming drones in an
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance role.
Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Rt Hon
MP said:
As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, we plan to use
drones, data and digital warfare to ensure our Armed Forces
stronger and safer, whilst boosting jobs and innovation across
the UK.
This trial is an example of our Government's new partnership with
industry; delivering the cutting-edge technology to our front
line troops and making defence an engine for growth, as part of
our Plan for Change.
The trial demonstrated the extension of the UK's Generic Vehicle
Architecture standard – which has also been adopted by NATO – to
autonomous systems. Through integration into an internationally
recognised system, the trial could lead to enhanced
interoperability between allies, with the ability to deploy
autonomous systems, sensors or software between vehicles at
reduced risk and cost.
Dr Paul Hollinshead, Dstl's Chief Executive, said:
Dstl identifies and harnesses the emerging technologies that will
deliver mission success through science and technology advantage
for UK forces.
These technologies support highly skilled jobs and create
opportunities for growth throughout our specialist industry
suppliers.
