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
-
![UK Royal Navy shifts focus from warships to system-led warfare]()
UK Royal Navy shifts focus from warships to system-led warfare
With a revised Defence Investment Plan on the way ahead of the upcoming NATO Summit on 7-8 July, the UK government has begun to reveal more details of how its future naval fleet could look.
-
![Funding for the future US Navy Trump-class battleship sparks controversy in Congress]()
Funding for the future US Navy Trump-class battleship sparks controversy in Congress
Lawmakers question the US Navy’s proposed $2 billion investment in the Trump-class battleship as concerns over cost, technology maturity and operational relevance fuel growing bipartisan scrutiny on Capitol Hill.
-
![Germany sinks F126 frigate programme in favour of cheaper MEKO A-200]()
Germany sinks F126 frigate programme in favour of cheaper MEKO A-200
On 24 June 2026, the German Ministry of Defence announced it was cancelling the F126 frigate programme in favour of procuring eight MEKO A-200 DEU frigates.
-
![UK’s Type 31 frigate balances cost pressure with long-term export ambition]()
UK’s Type 31 frigate balances cost pressure with long-term export ambition
The UK shipbuilder’s full-year results to the end of March revealed the impact of the £140 million charge linked to design changes and rework on the Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigate programme.
