Navy

Robot Wars in the Royal Navy

With Exercise Joint Warrior underway off the coast of Scotland, a plethora of military hardware including ships and aircraft is on display, but that’s not all.

Away from the spotlight and the Scottish seas, Maritime Autonomous Systems (MAS) and the British companies behind them will be making waves for prospective buyers in the Royal Navy.

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory is making £9 million available to support the future of Maritime Autonomous Systems.

Drone technology is seen as a critical part of the Navy’s longer term strategies. The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir George Zambellas’ view is that MAS will replace sailors doing “dull and dirty” missions.

“The Royal Navy will lead – and win – through the innovative and robust exploitation of MAS. They open up a new world of possibilities.”

The event is attracting interest from many British-based enterprises including Blue Bear, a Bedfordshire company specialising in developing vehicles with unmanned navigational systems and sensor payloads.

Dubbed as the potential eyes and ears of the Navy, Blue Bear’s GRUNT is looking to live up to it's billing and make an impression.

A surface vessel capable of collision detection and avoidance, the Grunt is best suited for smaller vessels deployed off Navy ships for duties including reconnaissance.

Yoge Patel, chief executive of the company, harbours great hopes for the deployment of MAS for future uses in dangerous work such as mine-clearing and reconnaissance. Citing the UK as one of the frontrunners of drone technology Dr Patel says that..

“The UK is absolutely at the forefront of drone technology - just look at our heritage. We have led the way in seafaring and engineering.”

Below we see the ASV and the Blue Bear's GRUNT unmanned maritime vehicle, currently in development and being trialled on the water.

The use of MAS and drones in military theatres of the future is an inevitable, yet divisive reality. While the UN debates lethal autonomous weapons, and amidst shrinking defence budgets, investment in military robotics and unmanned platforms continues to grow.

In the face of broad cuts, the growth of investment in UAV systems offers a sneak peek into the future of warfare.