The Royal Navy has announced plans to acquire a fleet of 20 uncrewed surface vessels as part of its broader effort to evolve into a hybrid force integrating manned and unmanned platforms.
Under Project Beehive, the vessels will be acquired at Technology Readiness Level 4/5 and subsequently advanced through iterative spiral development.
The initial requirement calls for an open-architecture design to enable future upgrades and ensure the vessels remain operationally relevant against peer threats.
They will serve as testbeds for developing and trialing new technologies, allowing the Royal Navy to learn from operational experience.
The majority of project activities will take place in southern and southwestern regions of the UK, under a contract valued at approximately 10 million pounds ($13 million).
“Funding for this project will be provided in part by the UK Defence Innovation Organisation,” a UK Ministry of Defence preliminary market engagement notice stated.
“Funding for this project is subject to internal approvals; the authority is proceeding with the participation phase but will not issue a tender until funding is approved for spend.”
UK Push for Hybrid Navy
The announcement comes as the Royal Navy demonstrated five remotely piloted uncrewed boats escorting a warship off Scotland’s coast.
The Rattler rigid inflatable boats, controlled from 500 miles (805 kilometers) away, incorporated autonomy packages along with multiple supporting systems and services.
These steps support the Royal Navy’s shift toward a hybrid fleet of crewed, uncrewed, and autonomous systems.
Uncrewed Escort Vessel in Two Years
As part of the broader initiative, the Royal Navy plans to introduce uncrewed escort vessels that will operate alongside its new submarines and Type 26 frigates in the North Atlantic.
These platforms will be capable of independent operations to detect, track, and engage adversaries.
In addition, the Royal Navy plans to field hybrid air wings aboard its Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, marking a significant milestone with the launch of the first jet-powered drone from a carrier next year.
“If this sounds fanciful, it is not. It is my aim to have the first of our uncrewed escort ships sailing alongside our Royal Navy warships within the next two years,” First Sea Lord General Gwyn Jenkins said.
“We need to do things differently, to grow and diversify the fleet … to speed up the development of new capabilities and technologies, by working with you to improve the flexibility with which we create, operate and improve the means we need to be able to fight and to win,” he added.
