Royal Navy

[cabeça de martelo]

Type 45 destroyers: UK's £1bn warships face engine refit

By Jonathan Beale

The Royal Navy's most modern warships are to be fitted with new engines because they keep breaking down.

In an email seen by the BBC, a serving Royal Navy officer wrote that "total electric failures are common" on its fleet of six £1bn Type 45 destroyers.

The Ministry of Defence said there were reliability issues with the propulsion system and work to fix it would be done to ensure "ships remain available".

One Royal Navy officer said the cost could reach tens of millions of pounds.

In a statement, the MoD told the BBC that to "address some reliability issues" it was considering options to "upgrade the ships' diesel generators to add greater resilience to the power and the propulsion system".

That will involve significant work, though the Royal Navy insists that the six destroyers will still be deployed all over the world.

'Major weak link'

But from 2019 each will begin to undergo a major refit that will probably involve cutting a large hole to insert at least one new generator into the ship.

The work will be staggered to ensure the Navy still has ships to send on operations.

The MoD would not give any details on cost.

Admiral Lord West, a former First Sea Lord, said the development was "very worrying" and the MoD must have known "three or four years ago" that the destroyers had problems.

The ex-Labour security minister said any delay in rectifying the problem would leave the Navy's surface fleet badly stretched, as the Navy can already "only just do some of the tasks we should be doing around the world".

"What I would hope is there is already in place a 'get well' programme and we must move very quickly to rectify these problems," he said.

A former naval officer, Rear Admiral Chris Parry, said the problems could not continue: "It's rather like buying a high-priced television to watch your favourite football team but because you don't have secure power supplies, the power goes off about every 10 minutes.

"You can't have that in combat, you can't even have that in normal operations - it is not safe."


'The lights went out'


I experienced one of the many power outages on board HMS Dauntless, off the coast of Senegal, in 2012.

Suddenly all the lights on the ship went out. It was quickly fixed but it appears to be a problem that has plagued the entire fleet.

In 2014 Dauntless had to abandon a training exercise and, in 2009, HMS Daring lost power in the Atlantic on her first voyage to the US. She suffered more propulsion problems off Kuwait in 2012.

Initially the MoD dismissed these electrical failures as "teething problems".

But it has now admitted that there is a bigger problem - one that could be disastrous for a ship and her crew in combat.


Nick Childs, of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said: "It's an unfortunate extra cost the Royal Navy will have to swallow to sort out an unreliable propulsion system - the major weak link in an otherwise world-beating system.

"They're essentially going to have to squeeze in an extra generator to improve reliability."

The warning signs were there in 2009 when the Commons Defence Committee published its report on the Type 45.

MPs noted "persistent over-optimism and underestimation of the technical challenges, combined with inappropriate commercial arrangements" leading to rising costs.

Each destroyer ended up costing about £1bn. The Royal Navy wanted 12 ships but ended up with half that number.

The Type 45 has an integrated electric propulsion system that powers everything on board.

'World's most capable'

The problem won't be solved quickly and it is likely to put a strain on the Royal Navy, which has already shrunk considerably in size.

It is now down to a surface fleet of 19 frigates and destroyers.

A spokesman for Rolls-Royce, which makes the WR-21 marine gas turbine used on the warships, said the company continued to work with the MoD on upgrading the performance of the propulsion system.

BAE Systems, the company which builds the warships, said in a statement that the destroyers were "among the world's most capable air defence destroyer".

It said it was working with the MoD "to deliver improvements to the power generation capability of the Type 45 destroyers".

[cabeça de martelo]

[FABIO]

HMS ALBION vem para MB?? deixa eu sonhar,po sonhar não paga
tambem dava certo HMS- OCEAN

[cabeça de martelo]

A RN pretende adquirir para complementar a nova classe de fragatas, as Venator 110 general purpose Frigates, as parentes POBRES, da nova classe Britânica as futuras Type 26.

http://www.bmtdsl.co.uk/media/6102250/B ... 0Brief.pdf

[P44]

Inquiry reveals UK's Type 45 destroyers are even less reliable in warm water

Jeremy Binnie, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
09 June 2016



Senior defence industry officials revealed during testimony to a parliamentary inquiry on 7 June that the problems with the integrated electric propulsion (IEP) system on the Royal Navy's new Type 45 destroyers are more acute in warm environments such as the Gulf.

Rolls-Royce's Tomas Leahy claimed the Ministry of Defence (MoD) failed to specify that the Type 45s would have to operate in warm environments. "There was a specification for Type 45, the engine met that specification," he told the inquiry. "Are the conditions in the Gulf in line with that specification? No they are not, so the equipment is having to operate in far more arduous conditions than initially required by that specification."
"The operating profile considered at the time [the Type 45 was specified] was that there would not be repeated and continuous operations in the Gulf," BAE Sysyems Maritime Managing Director John Hudson said. "It was not designed explicitly or uniquely for operations in the Gulf."
He said that BAE had nevertheless attempted to design the ship so it would experience a "graceful degradation" of its performance at high temperatures, but then added that the exact opposite was happening.
"What we have found in the Gulf is that it takes the gas turbine generator bit into an area which is sub-optimal for the generator, and also we found that with the drive units that the cooling system created condensation within the drive units which caused faults and that caused electrical failures as well," he said. These electrical failures leave the Type 45s unable to operate their propulsion, sensor, or weapons systems.
Leahy suggested the problems would be experienced by all gas turbines, not just the Rolls-Royce WR-21 engines fitted to the Type 45. "It's not a fault of the WR-21. Even if it was a simple-cycle gas turbine it will still suffer the same fate in those circumstances, it's a law of physics."

http://www.janes.com/article/61089/inqu ... warm-water

[P44]

The Royal Navy’s fleet of Type 45 destroyers are breaking down because their engines cannot cope with the Persian Gulf’s warm waters.

Rolls-Royce are blaming extremes of temperature in the Middle East for the repeated power outages that have left Britain’s best fighting ships without propulsion or weapons systems.

Six Clyde-built Type 45 destroyers need work expected to cost tens of millions of pounds after a string of power failures.

If it is not done, the vessels could be left as sitting ducks in battle if the UK is in a major conflict at sea again.

A Whitehall source said: “We can’t have warships that cannot operate if the water is warmer than it is in Portsmouth harbour.

http://defence-blog.com/news/royal-navy ... f-sea.html

[cabeça de martelo]

BAE unveils General Purpose Frigate concepts

Richard Scott, London - IHS Jane's Navy International 13 July 2016

Key Points

• Avenger builds on the pedigree of the existing Amazonas-class/River-class Batch 2 offshore patrol vessel
• Cutlass is a stretched and enhanced derivative of the RNO Al Shamikh-class corvette design

BAE Systems Naval Ships has lifted the lid on its initial thinking regarding the UK's projected General Purpose Frigate (GPFF) programme, revealing two export-derived concept designs positioned to address different points on the cost/capability curve.



The Avenger design builds on the Amazonas-class/River-class Batch 2 offshore patrol vessel, and plots onto the lower end of the solution space. (BAE Systems)

Plans to acquire a new class of more affordable and potentially exportable light frigate were announced in November last year as part of the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR15). While the new Type 26 Global Combat Ship - eight of which are now planned - will primarily support carrier task group operations and provide protection for the UK's strategic nuclear deterrent, the GPFF is to be rolled for a range of less high-tempo tasks.[/quote]

[P44]

[akivrx78]

BAE Systems awarded contract to provide Mk 45 naval gun systems for Royal Navy Type 26 Frigate

BAE Systems has received a $245 million contract from the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to provide the gun system, known as the Maritime Indirect Fires System (MIFS), for the Type 26 Global Combat Ship. This award follows the MOD’s announcement of BAE Systems as the preferred bidder last year after a competitive process.


Royal Navy’s future Type 26 Global Combat Ship Frigate. Picture: BAE Systems

Under the contract, the Company will manufacture three MIFS Integrated Gunnery Systems (IGS) and one trainer system for the UK Royal Navy. The MIFS IGS includes the 5-inch, 62-caliber Mk 45 Mod 4 Naval Gun System, along with an automated ammunition handling system, gun fire control system, and qualified ammunition. The contract includes an option for five additional systems for the remainder of the UK Royal Navy’s Type 26 fleet.

UK Minister for Defence Procurement, Harriett Baldwin MP, said: “Our growing defence budget means we can invest in a cutting edge weapon system for the Royal Navy’s next generation Global Combat Ship at the best value for taxpayers. Along with sustaining highly skilled jobs across the country, this contract underlines our commitment and demonstrates continued momentum in the program.”

Joe Senftle, Vice President and General Manager of Weapon Systems at BAE Systems, said: “Our teams in the US and UK will bring unrivalled skills and expertise to the MIFS development and production. The world-leading Mk 45 will provide the Royal Navy with a proven, reliable, and highly-effective system that is adaptable to firing a wide range of today’s ammunition, as well as future, precision-guided munitions currently in development.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9ecDozRIbI
The Mk 45 is in service with the US Navy and 10 other allied nations. More than 240 Mk 45 guns have been delivered into service globally.

Work on the contract for the UK Type 26 ships will be performed at BAE Systems’ facilities at Louisville, Kentucky, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the US and at Barrow-in-Furness, Frimley, and Glascoed in the UK, with deliveries expected from 2020.

The UK Government committed to buy eight of the advanced Type 26 Global Combat Ships in its 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review, which will in time replace the anti-submarine warfare Type 23 frigates. Type 26 will be globally deployable and capable of undertaking a wide range of roles from high intensity warfare to humanitarian assistance, either operating independently or as part of a task group. The ship has been designed with an acoustically quiet hull and there is flexibility in the design to allow Type 26 to be upgraded as new technology develops to ensure that it remains relevant to future requirements.

[akivrx78]

All of Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyers in port at same time

By Press Association
30 July 2016

All of the Royal Navy's most powerful warships are in port at the same time, the Ministry of Defence has said.

The six £1 billion Type 45 destroyers are docked in Portsmouth for reasons that include giving crews time with their families over the summer, according to an MoD spokesman.

Tom Sharpe, from the Directorate of Defence Communications, said the scenario was "unusual but not unprecedented" and the ships could be docked for "anything from a few weeks to a month".


HMS Duncan, one of the Royal Navy's six Type 45 destroyers

He added it was not connected to the need for all six ships to be refitted with new engines, which broke down in the Persian Gulf because they were not designed for the hot water.

Mr Sharpe said: "It happens most Christmases. To have them docked for a sustained period over the summer is unusual but not unprecedented.

"They (the crew) have got to take leave and we've got manpower issues which are much publicised. It's got to be planned in advance.

"They spend so much time away and it's about harmony time - getting the work life balance right.

"You could argue if you are trying to rebalance harmony time, it does not look good but in reality it combines everyone getting away at the right time of year.

"It's just a coincidence, nothing to do with the engines."

He added no other parts of the fleet were being left without protection by the destroyers and US warships were carrying out that role for those on operation in the Gulf.

It comes after pictures emerged showing significant damage to the nuclear-powered submarine HMS Ambush which had collided with a merchant vessel, leading it to be recalled to Britain for repairs.

Earlier this month, First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones told the House of Commons Defence Committee t he i nnovative gas turbine engines driving destroyers "degraded catastrophically" in very warm seas.

The Ministry of Defence will have to pick up the full bill for the multimillion-pound refit.

Described as part of the backbone of the Royal Navy, Type 45 destroyers are the most powerful ships ever built for use by the British Armed Forces.

The first of six, HMS Daring, was commissioned in July 2009 and was followed by sister ships Dauntless, Diamond, Dragon and Defender.

The final, HMS Duncan, was commissioned in 2013.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "This week the Royal Navy had over 8,500 personnel deployed on operations around the world and 34 ships at sea.

"All Type 45 destroyers are currently in port as they have either just returned from operations, or are about to be deployed, are conducting training or carrying out maintenance or are home for crew to take summer leave."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/art ... z4Fu1uGUog

[akivrx78]

Lockheed Martin delivered the 30th and final Merlin Mk2 Helicopter to the Royal Navy

The UK Ministry of Defence has taken delivery of the 30th upgraded Merlin Mk2 helicopter from industry. Lockheed Martin UK joined representatives from the Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence for a ceremony to mark the handover of the final airframe at Leonardo's facility in Yeovil, England.


Royal Navy Merlin MK2 Helicopter on display during DSEI 2015

For the last ten years, employees from both Lockheed Martin and Leonardo have been involved in the design, development and manufacture of the Merlin Mk2 as part of the Merlin Capability Sustainment Programme (MCSP). Under the £750m contract, thirty Mk1 helicopters were upgraded to enhance and extend their life with the Royal Navy.

The first helicopter was handed over in November 2012 and the event this week marks the significant milestone in the programme, which has seen all the airframes delivered on time and on budget. More than 1,000 jobs have been sustained throughout MCSP in Havant, Yeovil and Culdrose, where the helicopters are based.

Bob Kramer, Vice President of Lockheed Martin UK - Integrated Systems said: "Merlin continues to be a world beating maritime helicopter that is an asset critical to UK defence and that will be an integral part of the future aircraft carrier capability. The success of this programme has been a result of excellent teamwork among industry and our government partners that has enabled us to consistently deliver on cost and schedule."

The Merlin Mk2s have new radars, sonar systems, infra-red cameras as well as large flat, panel displays, giving pilot's greater situational awareness. Since being in operation with the Royal Navy, the Merlin Mk2s have been pivotal in the rescue of migrants in the Mediterranean and on operations in Sierra Leone.

The UK Ministry of Defence has taken delivery of the 30th upgraded Merlin Mk2 helicopter from industry. Lockheed Martin UK joined representatives from the Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence for a ceremony to mark the handover of the final airframe at Leonardo's facility in Yeovil, England.

Operator consoles aboard the Royal Navy Merlin Mk2 Helicopter present at DSEI 2015

The first Royal Navy Merlin Mk1 entered service in December 1998 and last of the 44 Merlin helicopters acquired was delivered in November 2002. Two were lost during accidents. The 28 EH101 Merlin HC3/HC3A currently serving with RAF are expected to be handed over to the Royal Navy in the future, to replace the Sea King Mk4 used by the Royal Marines.

The upgraded Mk2 helicopters feature high-end systems and capabilities, with Lockheed Martin UK being the main integrator. These include a management system and state-of-the-art glass cockpit (AgustaWestland), new solid-state storage unit (Saab), an upgrade of the Blue Kestrel surveillance radar of the Mk1 with SAR/ISAR modes and enhanced track-while-scan capability (Selex ES), an acoustic system suite that can perform both passive sonobouy and active sonar dipping search (Thales), a Data Preparation Facility and the Civil Navigation Database Loader (BAE Systems), an upgraded cockpit simulator with training devices for the whole of the crew (CAE) and 24-inch displays for the mission system operators (Barco).

[akivrx78]

UK loses operational maintenance and repair capability as Diligence is retired early
Richard Scott, London - IHS Jane's Navy International
12 August 2016

RFA Diligence, pictured here in 2008. The forward support vessel is being withdrawn from service in 2016, rather than 2020. Source: IHS/Jon Rosamond

Out-of-service date for RFA Diligence is brought forward to 2016 (from 2020)
Options for the delivery of future operational maintenance and repair capability remain under consideration

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) forward support vessel RFA Diligence is being retired from service four years ahead of its planned out of service date (OSD), leaving the UK Royal Navy (RN) without a deployable operational maintenance and repair (OMAR) platform.

The decision to bring forward the ship's OSD to late 2016 was made in June. However, this previously unannounced cut, and the consequent OMAR capability gap, was only revealed by the publication of Ministry of Defence (MoD) disposal documents for the ship in early August.

Diligence (ex- Stena Inspector ) is a former North Sea oil supply vessel purchased by the MoD in October 1983. The ship entered RFA service in March 1984, after being converted to serve as a forward repair ship. Specific modifications included the addition of workshops, cranes, extra accommodation, supply facilities, communication systems, and a flight deck atop the bridge; the modifications also saw the introduction of a limited self-defence fit.

Diligence has been used to provide forward support to ships and submarines operating at reach from the United Kingdom. For most of the past 15 years, the vessel has conducted long-term deployments 'east of Suez'.

In 2010, the decision was taken to extend the ship's service life out to 2020. Diligence completed a major life-extension refit in 2013; work included modifications to enable support to be provided for Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarines.

Owing to RFA manpower shortages, Diligence has been laid up at Cammell Laird's Birkenhead shipyard since completing a short refit in March 2015. However, as recently as December 2015 the MoD had publicly stated that 2020 remained the ship's planned OSD.

A naval spokesman told IHS Jane's that the decision to bring forward Diligence 's retirement by four years was a savings measure "identified and endorsed by the RN in June," adding, "RFA Diligence is an aged singleton ship with increasing obsolescence issues, and for that reason early retirement is the most sensible and cost-effective option.

[P44]

U.K. Carrier HMS Illustrious Sold for Scrap

By: Sam LaGrone

August 23, 2016 2:15 PM


The U.K. Royal Navy Invincible-class aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious (R 06), and Nimitz-class aircraft carriers USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) in 2007. US Navy Photo
Unable to find a permanent home for the retired Royal Navy carrier HMS Illustrious, the U.K. Ministry of Defence announced on Tuesday it would sell the ship for scrap to a Turkish firm.
Illustrious was sold to LEYAL Ship Recycling Ltd. for around $2.64 million (£ 2 million), read the statement.

Commissioned in 1982, Illustrious was deployed at the conclusion of the first Gulf War and provided aid to the Philippines in response following Typhoon Haiyan.

The carrier was decommissioned in 2014.

The sale comes after three cities – Hull, Portsmouth and British Overseas Territory Gibraltar — had entered failed bids to convert the 22,000-ton ship into a museum, according to The Telegraph.

“The size of the warship and the amount needed to maintain her are understood to have defeated all the bids,” wrote the paper in May.

Illustrious is scheduled to leave Portsmouth for Turkey in the fall.

“We have done all we can for over two years to find a home for the former HMS Illustrious in the U.K., and regrettably all options have now been exhausted,” U.K. Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin said in the Tuesday MoD statement.

The MoD has sold two other carriers to Turkish scrap merchants in the last several years — HMS Ark Royal for $3.83 million in 2013 and HMS Invincible $2.64 million.

The first of two planned Queen Elizabeth carriers, which will bring a carrier capability back to the Royal Navy, is due in Portsmouth in 2017.

“As the former aircraft carrier gets ready to leave Portsmouth, so we can look to the future and the arrival of the new Queen Elizabeth Class carriers, which will ensure that the Royal Navy continues to be a pre-eminent maritime power in the modern world,” former Illustrious commander Mike Utley said in a statement.

https://news.usni.org/2016/08/23/u-k-ca ... sold-scrap

[P44]

Moving FORTH Across the Clyde In Glasgow
(Source: BAE Systems; issued August 31, 2016)


The future HMS Forth, first of the Royal Navy’s new River-class offshore patrol vessels, was floated on August 13 and has now been moved to the Scotstoun yard for final fitting out and sea trials. (BAES photo)
The first complex warship to be built at Glasgow since the last Type 45, HMS Duncan, has successfully completed its journey from BAE Systems shipyard at Govan on the Clyde and is now safely docked at the company’s Scotstoun facility where she will complete final systems installation and testing.

FORTH, the first of the new River Class offshore patrol vessels, entered the water for the first time on Saturday 13 August and her arrival at Scotstoun is the latest step in a modernised approach to shipbuilding at Glasgow that uses the latest technologies and processes. The first plate of steel for FORTH was delivered to Glasgow in October 2014 and progressed down the production line soon after, with the ship structurally complete just 18 months later.

Vice Admiral Simon Lister, Chief of Materiel (Fleet) for the MOD’s Defence Equipment and Support organisation, said: “The cutting-edge technology of the Royal Navy’s versatile new Offshore Patrol Vessels will enable these warships to carry out a wide range of tasks, from disaster relief missions to maritime security, all the while protecting the UK’s interests at home and around the globe.

“Supported by a rising Defence budget, the rollout of HMS Forth reflects the success of the OPV programme, safeguarding the vital capability and skills that will be used in the delivery of the Royal Navy’s Type 26 Frigates.”

Iain Stevenson, Managing Director at BAE Systems Naval Ships, said: “For FORTH to enter the water less than two years after construction started is hugely significant and sets the tone for the future of modern warship building. She is the first complex warship to benefit from the new technologies and methods that we are introducing to further bolster our ability to be the best supplier to the Royal Navy. FORTH has already benefitted from a safer and more efficient build process that enabled much of the work to take place under cover, and as a result she leaves our Govan facility at a much higher rate of completion.

“We’re building on the proud heritage of British shipbuilding here in Glasgow and looking to the future. Not only does this mean we are creating valuable additions to the Royal Navy’s fleet but we are ensuring that shipbuilding skills and expertise are maintained and developed in the UK.”

The new process to transfer FORTH across the Clyde began with a single remote control and 160 wheels driving the 1600 tonne FORTH from inside the ship build hall at Govan to the dock side at a careful half a mile per hour. FORTH, with a weight comparable to 120 London buses, then made a short journey towards the waiting barge before setting sail for Scotstoun via the King George V dock. She is now safely at Scotstoun with the installation of the complex combat systems already underway, prior to handover to the Royal Navy in the first half of 2017.

This design of the offshore patrol vessel (OPV) builds on the Royal Navy's existing River Class ships and variants of this design are already in service in Brazil and Thailand. Engineers at BAE Systems have modified the design to meet the requirements of the Royal Navy in support of UK interests both at home and abroad.

The OPVs will be globally deployable and capable of ocean patrol with a range in excess of 5,000 nautical miles, equivalent to a journey from Portsmouth to Rio de Janeiro, and a maximum speed of 24 knots.

The manufacturing contract for the first three ships was announced in August 2014 and in the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review the UK Government announced its intention to buy a further two offshore patrol vessels to be built in Glasgow.

Construction of first of class, FORTH, began in October 2014, second of class, MEDWAY, began in June 2015 while TRENT began in October 2015. FORTH is due to be delivered to the Royal Navy in 2017.

-ends-

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articl ... g-out.html

[akivrx78]

Royal Navy unveils robot spy speedboat


By Ben Farmer
September 08, 2016

A drone speedboat that could pave the way for a Royal Navy robot fleet of high-speed reconnaissance and surveillance vessels has been unveiled by defence scientists.

The 34ft boat can skim across the waves at more than 50kts to track high speed targets, while navigating and dodging other ships without the control of a human.

Naval commanders believe the Maritime Autonomy Surface Testbed (MAST) could herald a robot fleet of high-speed craft packed with sensors to carry out spy and scouting missions.

The unarmed test craft is one of 40 prototypes to be tested by the Royal Navy in a major robot war game off the coast of northern Scotland in October.

The dawn of unmanned vehicles is likely to have the same revolutionary effect on naval warfare as the birth of flight and aircraft carriers, according to the navy’s Fleet Robotics Officer.

Cdr Peter Pipkin said: “This is a chance to take a great leap forward in maritime systems – not to take people out of the loop but to enhance everything they do, to extend our reach, our look, our timescales, our efficiency using intelligent and manageable robotics at sea.”

MAST has been built for the MoD’s defence laboratories and is based on an existing Bladerunner speedboat, but fitted with sensors and robotic technology that is still largely classified.

The boat has a sophisticated anti-collision system to avoid hazards and other craft, but current laws meant that when it was unveiled on the Thames, it had to have a human coxswain on board.

While the MAST is only a test platform for new technology and will not enter service as it stands, sources said it could it pave the way for future robots vessels that can track, shadow or spy on other craft as well as loitering off coastlines.

Elizabeth Quintana, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute, said the Navy was looking at unmanned vehicles to take on “dull, dirty, and dangerous” jobs.

She said robot speedboats could also prove useful for protecting warships such as the new aircraft carriers from swarms of attacking speedboats like those deployed by the Iranian navy in the Gulf.

But she said military chiefs were hesitant about arming unmanned vehicles.

She said: “The real issue is the public perception and the nervousness that some in the military might have and the potential legal challenges.

“The use of unmanned systems to deliver lethal force is still extremely controversial. It’s facing all sorts of legal challenges, so I think going down that road is quite difficult.” The Navy has already used unmanned vehicles for surveillance and for hunting for underwater mines.

Earlier this year it announced its three-year-old fleet of ScanEagle drones which has tracked drug gangs, pirates and people smugglers would be axed, and cost-cutting means there is no budget for replacements.

The ScanEagle aircraft, which was described by the Ministry of Defence as “crucial” and “game-changing” when it was bought in, will leave service next year.

Exercise Unmanned Warrior will next month (OCT) see defence scientists try out competing maritime drones to see what they can offer the Navy in areas such as reconnaissance and surveillance, submarine hunting and mine detection.


https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/148580 ... -speedboat