Britain and the United States have test-fired a torpedo from an uncrewed undersea vessel for the first time, a move the British government hailed as a major advance for submarine technology under the AUKUS alliance with Australia. The launch took place in UK waters last week from the 12-metre drone XV Excalibur, with the vessel remotely controlled from an operating centre in Australia more than 16,000 kilometres away.
The British government said in a statement on Monday that the heavyweight torpedo — jointly developed by the US and Australia — was launched from XV Excalibur, an undersea drone manufactured in Britain. The test, conducted as part of the AUKUS trilateral security pact, was described as delivering "a significant breakthrough for Euro-Atlantic security and NATO's undersea advantage."
The Royal Navy said the remote operation from Australia represented "a big step forward in our ability to operate uncrewed systems interchangeably with Australia." The UK and Australia previously carried out a joint test-drive of Excalibur in 2025 during Exercise Talisman Sabre.
Facing threats from Russia and Iran, Western countries are rushing to modernise their war-fighting capabilities with autonomous systems. Sidharth Kaushal, a senior research fellow at the RUSI think-tank, called the torpedo test-fire "noteworthy," telling AFP that "the employment of a lethal payload illustrates that uncrewed systems can play roles which extend beyond surveillance."
The announcement came as UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham headed to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, where he is due to meet US President Donald Trump for the first time since becoming British leader in July. Burnham said he would use the trip to "drive forward global work" on artificial intelligence and announce "a new AI and autonomy partnership" with the US aimed at helping the UK protect critical national infrastructure, "from sea lanes to airspace."
"This week I will be making the case for closer international cooperation on AI, a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, and renewed efforts to bring an end to the conflict in the Middle East because what happens abroad impacts each and every one of us at home," Burnham said.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The successful torpedo launch from an uncrewed vessel marks a leap in autonomous naval warfare, potentially reshaping submarine and anti-submarine operations for AUKUS partners and NATO.
- Remote operation from Australia demonstrates the ability to control lethal systems across vast distances, raising questions about command-and-control, escalation risks, and strategic stability.
- The test signals growing Western investment in autonomous systems in response to perceived threats from Russia and Iran, accelerating a global arms race in uncrewed undersea capabilities.
Background
AUKUS is a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the UK, and the US, announced in 2021, primarily focused on sharing nuclear submarine technology and advanced capabilities. While the first pillar involves delivering nuclear-powered submarines to Australia, a second pillar covers cooperation on emerging technologies including autonomous systems, AI, and quantum computing. The XV Excalibur is part of ongoing efforts to develop unmanned maritime vehicles for surveillance, mine countermeasures, and now offensive strikes. The test follows the UK and Australia's joint exercise in 2025, part of a broader push to integrate uncrewed systems into allied naval forces.
Key Perspectives
British government and Royal Navy: Frame the test as a major breakthrough, emphasising interoperability with Australia and the value to NATO's undersea advantage, while linking it to broader AI and autonomy partnerships with the US.
RUSI's Sidharth Kaushal: Highlights that lethal payloads on uncrewed systems extend their military utility beyond surveillance, validating their place in modern warfare.
Critics and skeptics: While not quoted directly in the source, potential concerns include the reliability and security of remotely operated lethal platforms, the risk of accidental escalation or unauthorised launches, and the ethical and legal implications of autonomous weapon systems. Additionally, some analysts question whether AUKUS's ambitious technology-sharing goals can be delivered on schedule.
What to Watch
- Whether further tests of uncrewed lethal systems occur under AUKUS, particularly with Australian involvement in firing or operating weapons.
- The outcome of Burnham and Trump's meeting at the UNGA, including any concrete details on the announced AI and autonomy partnership.
- Reactions from Russia and Iran, which may prompt countermeasures or an acceleration of their own autonomous undersea programs.
- Progress on the broader AUKUS submarine program, as the alliance's first pillar faces ongoing production and technology-transfer hurdles.