Babcock, the firm building the Royal Navy’s new Type 31 frigates, has unveiled its Common Command Vessel (CCV) concept to team crewed warships with autonomous assets.
The launch yesterday (Monday) was timed to coincide with the First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkin’s speech at the International Seapower Conference, which announced the launch of Atlantic Bastion, the U.K.’s plan to defend its undersea infrastructure (CUI) with a mix of uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs), AI, warships and aircraft.
As per Babcock’s press statement, working alongside industry partners including HII and Arondite it has devised a network of disaggregated systems and platforms it has dubbed ARMOR Force (Autonomous and Remote, Maritime Operational Response – Force).
ARMOR Force, which the firm says it hopes would be deployable by the end of next year, would see a Type 31 CCV-configured frigate controlling a networked force of large autonomous uncrewed vessels and systems, potentially including HII’s Romulus series of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs).
The statement added: “The overall solution includes large Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) that can be autonomous or remotely controlled and modular containerised Persistent Operational Deployment Systems (PODS) for rapid capability deployment and mission autonomy.”
Meanwhile, U.K.-founded defence firm Arondite’s Cobalt Operating System would provide autonomy and mission orchestration across the ARMOR Force network.
Chief Executive of Babcock Marine Sir Nick Hine commented: “ARMOR Force is our response to the First Sea Lord’s call for a re-imagined hybrid Navy. ARMOR Force and the partnerships we are creating with HII and Arondite represent a bold step forward…
“What we are proposing will keep the Royal Navy at the forefront of global maritime security for decades to come and redefine what is possible at sea.”
HII President and CEO Chris Kastner added: “HII is proud to be part of this game-changing industry initiative to deliver a hybrid Navy concept for the Royal Navy and international markets.
“Partnering with Babcock strengthens HII’s ability to deliver Romulus for the ARMOR Force and to support the Royal Navy’s vision for the future fleet.”
Co-founder and CEO of Arondite Will Blyth said: “The future of maritime power will be defined by an adaptable blend of crewed and uncrewed systems, leveraging disaggregated sensors and effectors. We have built Cobalt to tackle exactly this challenge.”
- You can read more details on the Babcock website