UK and US Successfully Test-Fire Torpedo from Unmanned Undersea Vessel
The US and UK have successfully test-fired a heavyweight torpedo from an unmanned undersea vessel, marking a significant breakthrough in submarine technology for the AUKUS alliance. The test demonstrates a major advance in the future of submarine technology, with Western countries rushing to modernise their war-fighting capabilities in the face of threats from Russia and Iran.
A historic test has successfully launched a heavyweight torpedo from an unmanned undersea vessel, marking a significant breakthrough in submarine technology for the AUKUS alliance. The UK government announced the achievement on Monday, stating that the test demonstrates a major advance in the future of submarine technology.
The test, which took place in UK waters last week, involved the launch of a torpedo jointly developed by the US and Australia from a 12-metre-long undersea drone manufactured in Britain, named XV Excalibur. The UK and Australia had previously carried out a joint test-drive of Excalibur in 2025 as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre.
An operating centre in Australia, over 16,000 kilometres from Excalibur's home in Plymouth, took remote control of the vessel, described by the British Royal Navy as "a big step forward in our ability to operate uncrewed systems interchangeably with Australia".
Sidharth Kaushal, a senior research fellow at the RUSI think-tank, called the recent torpedo test-fire "noteworthy".
"The employment of a lethal payload illustrates that uncrewed systems can play roles which extend beyond surveillance,"
he told news agency AFP.
The UK government stated that the test delivered "a significant breakthrough for Euro-Atlantic security and NATO's undersea advantage". The achievement comes as Western countries rush to modernise their war-fighting capabilities in the face of threats from Russia and Iran.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is set to discuss global cooperation on artificial intelligence at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he will meet US President Donald Trump. The UK government said Mr Burnham would use his trip to "drive forward global work" on artificial intelligence and announce "a new AI and autonomy partnership" with the US.
"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,"
Mr Burnham said. He also confirmed Britain would host the G20 summit in November 2027, in the north-western English city of Manchester.