Britain's Navy is preparing for an unprecedented battle in the depths of the ocean with the emergence of high-tech submarine drones. Autonomous underwater vehicles (UUVs) are about to change the way navies fight, a shift described as a "step-change" by major defence companies.
The world's top navies are racing to develop these drones that can track submarines and protect vital undersea cables and pipelines without the need for human crews. The UK Royal Navy plans to use UUVs to counter Russian aggression in the North Atlantic, while Australia is investing heavily in its own autonomous submarine project called "Ghost Shark".
The US Navy has also launched several major initiatives, including a program that can launch drones from nuclear submarines. The new technology promises to revolutionize anti-submarine warfare by allowing navies to scale up their efforts without the need for expensive manned vessels.
As big defence companies like BAE Systems and General Dynamics compete with startups like Anduril and Helsing, industry experts warn of significant benefits and risks. Autonomous drones could provide a major advantage in tracking down enemy submarines, but sabotage and cyber attacks are also becoming increasingly common.
The emergence of autonomous UUVs has sparked controversy over the potential for "grey zone" actions that can cause significant disruption without resorting to full-scale war. The UK's Ministry of Defence warned recently that undersea sabotage could have devastating consequences for the country.
Despite concerns, major defence companies like Thales and BAE Systems believe that the shift towards autonomous UUVs is essential to counter growing aggression from adversaries. They see the benefits in mass and persistence, as well as the ability to target enemy assets without risking human lives.
The battle for undersea dominance has been ongoing for decades, but the arrival of these cutting-edge drones promises a new era of high-tech warfare that could alter the course of naval battles forever.
The world's top navies are racing to develop these drones that can track submarines and protect vital undersea cables and pipelines without the need for human crews. The UK Royal Navy plans to use UUVs to counter Russian aggression in the North Atlantic, while Australia is investing heavily in its own autonomous submarine project called "Ghost Shark".
The US Navy has also launched several major initiatives, including a program that can launch drones from nuclear submarines. The new technology promises to revolutionize anti-submarine warfare by allowing navies to scale up their efforts without the need for expensive manned vessels.
As big defence companies like BAE Systems and General Dynamics compete with startups like Anduril and Helsing, industry experts warn of significant benefits and risks. Autonomous drones could provide a major advantage in tracking down enemy submarines, but sabotage and cyber attacks are also becoming increasingly common.
The emergence of autonomous UUVs has sparked controversy over the potential for "grey zone" actions that can cause significant disruption without resorting to full-scale war. The UK's Ministry of Defence warned recently that undersea sabotage could have devastating consequences for the country.
Despite concerns, major defence companies like Thales and BAE Systems believe that the shift towards autonomous UUVs is essential to counter growing aggression from adversaries. They see the benefits in mass and persistence, as well as the ability to target enemy assets without risking human lives.
The battle for undersea dominance has been ongoing for decades, but the arrival of these cutting-edge drones promises a new era of high-tech warfare that could alter the course of naval battles forever.