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A successful trial conducted by the Royal Navy and Army showcased the effectiveness of a flotilla of uncrewed “wolf pack” drone boats in escorting warships. Five autonomous Rattler boats, remotely piloted from 500 miles away in Portsmouth naval base, swarmed around HMS Tyne and HMS Stirling Castle off the coast of Scotland in a milestone demonstration. The Navy hailed this as a significant step in showing how such technology could be utilized in real-life scenarios, with camera and sensor data being relayed back to the control base during the 72-hour exercise.
Operated by a two-person team each, with one handling piloting duties and the other managing onboard systems and data streams, the Rattler boats’ deployment marked a pivotal moment for the Royal Navy towards integrating crewed and uncrewed platforms. Cdr Michael Hutchinson emphasized that while autonomous systems have been in use, this technology represents a significant evolution that will reshape naval warfare strategies. The vessels, based on rigid inflatable boats, have the capability to operate individually or as a swarm, with the potential to function fully uncrewed in the future.
The demonstration also involved collaboration with P2000 HMS Biter of the Coastal Forces Squadron and a Merlin helicopter, signaling a cohesive effort to explore the capabilities of autonomy and uncrewed systems at sea. According to Brig Jaimie Roylance, Royal Navy Chief Technology Officer, the exercise marked a pivotal moment in naval history, showcasing the successful development of deployable uncrewed systems through collaborative efforts. Furthermore, the Navy’s Disruptive Capabilities and Technology Office (DCTO) and the Fleet Experimentation Squadron (FXS) have been instrumental in driving forward these technological advancements within record timeframes
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