UK experimental underwater drone reportedly test-fires torpedo
TechnologyUnverifiedUpdated:
The UK’s experimental XV Excalibur underwater drone has reportedly test-fired a heavyweight torpedo, adding a claimed weapons-launch demonstration to a vehicle previously associated with uncrewed undersea operations.
Autonomous navigation followed by a programmed launch
According to the report, the 12-metre XV Excalibur, developed under Project CETUS, launched a heavyweight torpedo during an AUKUS-related test. Downing Street reportedly described this as the first torpedo launch from an underwater drone by either the UK or the US. The vehicle reportedly navigated autonomously to its launch position and executed a pre-programmed launch sequence, while external systems supplied target data.
XV Excalibur had been presented as an experimental uncrewed underwater vehicle for the Royal Navy, with reconnaissance and surveillance among the roles described for such systems.
The reported trial moves the demonstrated role of the experimental vehicle from uncrewed underwater operation toward launching a heavyweight torpedo.
Target data supplied by external systems
If accurately described, the trial is a step beyond reconnaissance and surveillance for an experimental uncrewed underwater vehicle. The reported setup also draws a boundary around its autonomy: Excalibur was described as conducting the launch sequence, not detecting or tracking the target.
Sources
- The RegisterUK’s uncrewed experimental sub shows it can fire torpedoesRead source →