Defence tests autonomous and uncrewed systems

The Royal Australian Navy has deepened his focus on autonomous and uncrewed systems, holding the two week Exercise Autonomous Warrior underway at Jervis Bar in New South Wales.

Such systems are seen by many as a replacement for traditional manned systems and by others as the future complement to an evolved Australian Defence Force, operating alongside manned shystems such as the navy’s future nuclear submarine fleet.

Exercise Autonomous Warrior tested a range of autonomous technologies below and on the surface of the ocean.

This year’s exercise focused on the development and evaluation of autonomous undersea warfare systems and related future operating concepts, critical to the ADF’s ongoing operational success, according to a statement.

“Autonomous Warrior provides a controlled environment to continue developing trusted autonomy and to ensure these systems complement Navy’s submarine and surface fleet.

“Uncrewed undersea warfare exercises such as this allow Defence to lift its capacity to rapidly translate disruptive new technology into capability, in close partnership with Australian industry, as recommended in the Defence Strategic Review.”

Head Navy Capability, Rear Admiral Stephen Hughes said Autonomous Warrior assists with accelerating the delivery of complementary capabilities to the fleet, providing Navy with asymmetric warfighting effect options.

Rear Admiral Hughes said: “Working with our allies, sovereign industry and our science and technology research partners is essential to better understand how the ADF applies uncrewed, robotic and autonomous systems in a complex, changing strategic environment.

“This year’s exercise is focused on the development and evaluation of autonomous undersea warfare systems and related future operating concepts.”

Picture: Defence/SMN Elvie Tatersall, LEUT Ian Whitehead and contractors from MARTAC took the ‘Devil Ray’ T38 Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) out in Jervis Bay for trial runs.