BAE to launch autonomous systems testing service

BAE Systems has received a grant of £457,000 from the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to design and deliver the UK’s first dedicated autonomous systems testing service, the company announced on 16 July.

BAE Systems will work together with ASV Global, Blue Bear Systems Research, Marine Electronic Systems (MES), SeeByte and the University of Southampton to provide the service’s infrastructure.

The service will allow customers to conduct trials and testing for systems such as unmanned boats, air vehicles and autonomous sensors in a safe, controlled and realistic environment in the Solent. The service will make use of a secure maritime communications network and a mobile command and control centre, based on the technology BAE Systems provides to UK Royal Navy platforms.

Frank Cotton, head of Technology, Combat Systems, BAE Systems, said: ‘Autonomous and unmanned systems are widely regarded as a vital technology for the future, but there is a great deal of work to be done if we are to unlock its true potential and understand how they are best integrated into wider systems.

‘The Solent area has a growing number of world class organisations operating in the autonomy sector and we are excited to be working with ASV, Blue Bear, MES, SeeByte and the University of Southampton to launch this concept this week. It is anticipated that the full test service will go live later this year.’