Herne: New 5,000km-range extra large sub set to dominate underwater naval operations

The development of the Herne, an advanced extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle (XLAUV), is poised to reshape naval capabilities, with Canadian firm Cellula Robotics teaming up with BAE Systems.

Coming as the Royal Navy's first uncrewed submarine, CETUS, nears its sea trials by 2027, Herne's modular design will offer versatile missions, from anti-submarine warfare to safeguarding vital undersea infrastructure.

Like CETUS, Herne will be as big as a bus and powered by a hydrogen fuel cell and reports suggest it could stay submerged for 45 days, covering up to 5,000km. 

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With the need for dominance in underwater warfare growing, nations that fail to adapt will face significant strategic disadvantages by the 2040s.