Royal Navy sails autonomous RIB in UK waters for the first time
The APAC 24, being tested in Portsmouth Harbour. (Picture: Royal Navy/Crown Copyright)
The RIB trials are expected to inform rapid future RN deployment of autonomous vessel technology.
The UK’s Royal Navy has driven an uncrewed Pacific 24 rigid inflatable boat (RIB) in British waters for the first time.
The Pacific 24 RIB (PAC 24) has been the mainstay of Royal Navy small boat operations since 2015, when it replaced the PAC 22. It has regularly been involved in operations including rescues, intercepting drug runners and moving sailors from ship to shore.
In November 2024, a PAC 24 was put through a week of tests in the Solent, a challenging sailing environment. It was both remotely piloted, and allowed autonomous control by an operator onboard the nearby research
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![NATO tests use of “undetectable, jam-proof” laser communication in maritime scenarios]()
NATO tests use of “undetectable, jam-proof” laser communication in maritime scenarios
As part of its effort to better prepare its capabilities for operations in contested and congested scenarios, NATO evaluated a Lithuanian ship-to-ship terminal designed to not be susceptible to enemy interference.
-
![US Navy advances with the Harpoon Service Life Extension Programme]()
US Navy advances with the Harpoon Service Life Extension Programme
The US Navy plans to improve Harpoon’s anti-ship and land attack capabilities by equipping the missiles with sensors and technologies required for succeeding in future battlespace.
-
![Future of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project is still unclear]()
Future of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project is still unclear
The Canadian government remains tight-lipped on the timeline and funding required for the next steps of its Canadian Submarine Patrol Project, which should offer improved capabilities for the country’s navy.
