Royal Navy extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicle (XLUUV) XV Excalibur has successfully test-fired a Mk48 heavyweight torpedo for the first time.
The proof-of-concept launch was carried out in U.K. waters earlier this month at the British Underwater Test & Evaluation Centre (BUTEC) in Scotland. U.K. Plymouth-based firm MSubs makes and operates XV Excalibur on behalf of the Royal Navy.
Jointly developed by Australia and America, the U.S.-built torpedo is made by Lockheed Martin and SAIC. The XLUUV trial was conducted as part of AUKUS Pillar II collaborations under programmes dubbed Project Broadsword and Trial Iron.
A British Government statement noted: “The firing… was the first time either country had launched a torpedo from an undersea uncrewed vessel, rather than a crewed submarine.
“This marks a major advance in the future of submarine technology for the UK, US, and Australia, and delivers a significant breakthrough for Euro-Atlantic security and NATO’s undersea advantage.”
U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle hailed the successful test as an “historic first for allied undersea warfare.”
He commented: “Proving that we can seamlessly launch a U.S. heavyweight torpedo from a Royal Navy autonomous underwater vehicle validates our shared vision for true interchangeability.
“By integrating weapons, payloads, and mission architectures across allied platforms, we are increasing the flexibility, scale, and combat power of our combined forces and ensuring they are ready to meet the strategic demands of tomorrow.”
And Director, Submarine Programs Vice Admiral Robert Gaucher added: “Demonstrating the launch of a U.S. torpedo from a U.K. XLUUV is an important early step in developing lethality in our undersea autonomous systems.”
The torpedo launch is the culmination of a seven-month collaboration involving Department of the Navy Rapid Capabilities Office (DONRCO), OPNAV N97, the Royal Navy, the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Keyport, and industry partners.
As per a U.S. press statement, next steps involve further tests, this time with the Anduril Dive-XL XLUUV platform, under Project Cutlass.
- You can read more details on the U.S. Navy website and the U.K. Government website
