UK and US complete first torpedo launch from an uncrewed underwater vessel

The United Kingdom and the United States have carried out the first-ever test launch of a torpedo fired from an uncrewed underwater vessel, according to officials from both countries.

The test represents a step forward in the development of autonomous naval technology under the AUKUS security partnership, a trilateral pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States focused on advanced defense cooperation, including nuclear-powered submarines and other military technologies.

Firing a torpedo from an uncrewed vessel removes the need for a crewed submarine or surface ship to carry out the launch, potentially allowing navies to deploy weapons from platforms that do not put personnel at direct risk. Autonomous underwater vehicles have increasingly become a focus of naval research among Western militaries as they look to integrate unmanned systems into combat operations.

Neither government provided extensive technical details publicly about the specific vessel used, the type of torpedo fired, or the location of the test.

The demonstration follows years of joint work between the UK and US on undersea autonomous systems as part of the broader AUKUS framework, which was established in 2021 and also includes cooperation on artificial intelligence, cyber capabilities, and hypersonic weapons alongside the submarine program that has drawn the most public attention.

Defense officials from both countries have previously said that integrating autonomous systems into naval operations is a priority as militaries seek to maintain a technological edge at sea, particularly in contested underwater environments.