“We must end the mentality of ever larger platforms”: Why USVs are scaling
Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins, First Sea Lord, emphasised the importance of technological advancements in enhancing the Royal Navy's capabilities and deterrence against Russian threats in the North Atlantic. (Photo: author)
Multiple USV programme milestones announced last week, aligned with a reinforcement of the Royal Navy’s vision for a hybrid fleet, point to innovation-led ambition but also to a structural calculation with resource ceilings that neither London nor Washington can ignore.
A week rarely arrives in which a single theme runs so clearly. Yet last week delivered it: the US Navy (USN) reportedly outlined plans to field thousands of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) in the Indo-Pacific; Saildrone unveiled a combat-capable 52m USV with vertical-launch strike capability; Rheinmetall and Kraken Technology Group moved from prototype to serial production; HII announced four additional ROMULUS 151 hulls entering manufacture; and Anduril Industries partnered with Kraken to bring a family of small USVs to USN service.
Delivering the inaugural Lord Fisher Lecture at RUSI on 29 April 2026, Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins, First Sea Lord, offered a
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![STM’s European wins strengthen Turkey’s naval credibility on the continent]()
STM’s European wins strengthen Turkey’s naval credibility on the continent
Turkish defence and engineering company STM is attempting to challenge Europe’s established naval primes by winning contracts from Portugal to Pakistan – with a business model built on working in any shipyard in the world.
-
![First Canadian River-class destroyer to have its keel laid in June]()
First Canadian River-class destroyer to have its keel laid in June
Currently at the block fabrication and construction stage, the HMCS Fraser’s keel-laying ceremony is scheduled to take place next month as a step towards increasing the Royal Canadian Navy's anti-submarine and air defence capabilities.
-
![Australia’s Mogami-class frigates to feature RTX SeaRAM defence system]()
Australia’s Mogami-class frigates to feature RTX SeaRAM defence system
Under a contract with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Raytheon will provide SeaRAM launchers, blast test vehicles and technical services for the Royal Australian Navy’s Sea3000 General Purpose Frigate programme.
