Madfox takes to the water
Madfox USV demonstrator. (Credit: LPhot Bradley/Crown Copyright)
A year of tests awaits for the latest UK Royal Navy uncrewed vessel.
The UK Royal Navy (RN) is continuing its efforts to explore the use of unmanned craft after welcoming into service the new Maritime Demonstrator For Operational Experimentation (Madfox) vessel.
Developed by L3Harris for NavyX ( the specialist wing of the RN that explores ways of boosting innovation in autonomous technologies), Madfox is derived from the Mast-13 vessel that underwent a series of trials beginning in late 2019.
‘Since being delivered, NavyX has been working hard to get Madfox to sea and ready to begin a demanding year of testing,’ the RN announced in a 26 March statement.
NavyX will carry out tests to see how USV technology can assist in surveillance and force protection operations.
‘With Madfox now directly in the hands of NavyX, the team will be able to explore a multitude of issues such as safety, regulatory compliance, new missions, new payloads and the role that a USV can play in complex operations and within the future fleet,’ said Cdr Antony Crabb, NavyX team leader.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Coast Guard enhances Arctic protection with a new Fast Response Cutter]()
US Coast Guard enhances Arctic protection with a new Fast Response Cutter
After commissioning, FRC Frederick Mann will operate in Alaska and perform multiple missions.
-
![Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear]()
Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.
-
![US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes]()
US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes
The US Navy (USN) is currently reassessing its acquisition efforts and seeking ways to reduce the multiple delays across the shipbuilding initiatives.
-
![Italy orders two ships as work begins on others along with deliveries and updates]()
Italy orders two ships as work begins on others along with deliveries and updates
The Italian Navy is being refreshed with two new ships ordered, while in the past six months steel was cut for a new frigate, an enhanced frigate was delivered and Horizon-class frigates passed a design review.
