Unmanned Drones - All Types for Military and Naval Use

[Pelican]

Royal Navy seeking ‘loitering munitions’ for ships


Loitering munitions, weapons that can ‘loiter’ above a battlefield and wait for their target, are being sought by the Royal Navy to enhance the capabilities of its warships.
According to a pre-procurement notice published by the Ministry of Defence, the DE&S Future Capability Group (FCG), in conjunction with the Royal Navy, “are looking to demonstrate a modular (20ft ISO container) medium size loitering munition automated launch and storage POD”.

More about the PODS concept later.

The notice adds that the project end state is seeking to establish the viability of, and to provide, a deployable integrated launch module for loitering munitions through a successful maritime, land and littoral concept demonstration.

Industry advice is sought on the cost and timeframes of key phases of activity to develop and demonstrate an initial concept system culminating in a number of live fire events.

The questions asked in the request for information from industry are as follows.
Continues at - https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/royal-n ... LP2xPRCPwk

[Pelican]

£129 million to deliver cutting-edge mini drones for UK forces

More than 250 “portable” and “packable” mini drones will be delivered to the Armed Forces after the award of a contract worth £129 million to Lockheed Martin UK

See - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/129- ... -uk-forces

[Pelican]

The Extreme Solution US Navy Found to Deal With Enemy Drones in Middle of the Ocean

See - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II9qMVKXQbk

Link from Tim.

[Pelican]

UK-based Mondini and Swedish ACC Innovation have formalised a partnership to produce a heavy-lift UAV to transport loads up to 700 kg for the RN.

See - https://dronedj.com/2023/01/10/uk-swedi ... ift-drone/

[Pelican]

Manta XLUUV has been used to test sonardyne Sonars and SprintNav, Seiche and SEA towed arrays, Vizguard optical software and Petard’s camera system.

SEA Krait towed array trialled for ASW use during exercise REPMUS in Portugal Oct 22.

See - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dstl ... e-autonomy

[Pelican]

The UK has awarded contracts for a number of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles, including drones able to submerge to 1,000m.
The £6Mn worth of orders includes two 1,000m depth capable Gavia Offshore Surveyor AUVs and three IVER 4 580 AUVs.
See - https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/britain ... baef5zVs_U