A significant milestone in naval technology has been achieved: the United States and Britain have successfully test-fired a torpedo from an autonomous underwater vessel – a world-first demonstration of advanced…
·5 min read·Marine Insight
Image Credits: MarineAI
Britain and the United States have test-fired a torpedo from an uncrewed underwater vessel for the first time, the UK government said on Monday.
The live test took place in UK waters last week under the AUKUS security partnership between Britain, the United States and Australia.
The torpedo was fired from Excalibur, a 12-metre-long underwater drone built in Britain. The heavyweight torpedo was jointly developed by the United States and Australia.
The UK government called the test “a major advance in the future of submarine technology” for the three AUKUS countries.
It also said the test was “a significant breakthrough for Euro-Atlantic security and NATO’s undersea advantage”.
Sidharth Kaushal, a senior research fellow at the RUSI think-tank, described the test as “noteworthy”.
The test is part of AUKUS work on autonomous naval systems.
Western countries are also developing more autonomous military systems in response to threats from Russia and Iran.
Britain and Australia tested Excalibur together in 2025 during Exercise Talisman Sabre.
The underwater drone has also been controlled remotely from Australia. An operating centre in Australia, more than 16,000 kilometres from Excalibur’s base in Plymouth, took control of the vessel.
The Royal Navy called that test “a big step forward in our ability to operate uncrewed systems interchangeably with Australia”.
The trial involved firing a heavyweight torpedo from the uncrewed vessel.
The announcement came as UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham travelled to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.
Burnham is due to meet US President Donald Trump at the summit. It will be their first meeting since Burnham became UK leader in July.
The UK government said Burnham would use the visit to “drive forward global work” on artificial intelligence.
He is due to announce a new AI and autonomy partnership with the United States. The UK government said the partnership would help Britain protect critical infrastructure, including sea lanes and airspace.
He also confirmed that Britain would host the G20 summit in Manchester in November 2027.
