The Royal Navy has begun a series of autonomous surface vessel (ASV) trials near Portsmouth Harbour and Hayling Bay, as part of ongoing tests aimed at integrating unmanned technology into naval operations. The trials, which began on January 6, will run until February 28, 2025, and will take place in the Hayling Bay and Ryde Middle shipping areas.
What to Expect During the Trials
The ASV PD007, a 7.5-metre grey vessel capable of reaching speeds up to 38 knots, will be the primary vessel used in the trials. Accompanying the PD007 will be Valkyrie 6 or Valkyrie 8 and an SB850i or similar charter RIB, which will act as safety vessels. These support boats will be staffed by trial operators, who will step in if any safety issues arise.
PD007 may be equipped with a bright blue dummy weapon on its bow, but it will be covered when not in use during the trials. The daily tests will occur between 9am and 4pm, with the PD007 only operating in remote or autonomous mode within the designated trial areas.
Ensuring Safety During the Trials
The Royal Navy has stated that PD007 will maintain a minimum 200-metre distance from other vessels, with the trial runs modified or aborted if a close-quarters situation develops. This precaution ensures the safety of other maritime traffic in the busy waters around Portsmouth.
A Step Toward Autonomous Operations
These trials mark another step in the Royal Navy’s efforts to explore the potential of autonomous and un-crewed vessels. While trials of this nature are relatively rare, they follow a similar set of tests conducted in November 2024 involving the experimental ship XV Patrick Blackett, which serves as a hub for developing new naval technologies. These include quantum navigation and un-crewed underwater and surface vessels.
Commander Michael Hutchinson, Commanding Officer of XV Patrick Blackett, previously explained:
“The trials and experiments we do will develop the Standard Operating Procedures for the APAC and how to use un-crewed systems effectively for warfighting.”
These tests represent a significant leap forward in the integration of autonomous systems into military operations, and further trials are expected to contribute to the development of autonomous technologies for naval warfare.
