DASA points to autonomous submarine development

6th March 2020 - 11:30 GMT | by The Shephard News Team

RSS

The UK’s Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) has announced a potential £2.5 million ($3.2m) investment for the development of a RN XL autonomous submarine platform.

MSubs, based in Plymouth, has received £1 million ($1.3m) to develop a test submarine which will be used to explore new underwater capabilities for the RN in using UUVs. The company is working on converting its manned S201 into an UUV.

Jeremy Quin, the UK Defence Procurement Minister said: ‘Submersible autonomous vessels have huge potential and this project could be a game-changer for the UK’s underwater capability, taking our submarine service to the next level.’

If the test submarine developed by MSubs is successful, DASA has said that it would provide an additional £1.5m ($1.9m) to carry out further tests on the UUV’s capability.

Author

The Shephard News Team

As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to Premium News and Defence Insight …

Read full bio

More from Uncrewed Vehicles

More Russian UAS go astray while attacking Ukraine

This time, the UAS flew into NATO airspace, though there is no evidence that they did so deliberately.
British Army looks to ‘kamikaze drones’ for future operations

Inspired by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the British Army has one eye on the future as it develops its ability to operate FPV UAS.
Belarus fighter jet shoots down Russian drone

The confrontation followed a history of untroubled fly-throughs by similar drones en route to Ukraine.
Exail Robotics secures €60 million NATO contract for underwater mine disposal vehicles

The contract covers disposal and training vehicles for the Belgian and Dutch navies.
Thunderstrike establishes major drone facility at Danish airport

The hangar will be used to eventually produce 200-300 drones per year.