A team of British engineers based in Portsmouth has successfully demonstrated a new type of autonomous submarine, named Herne, specifically designed for military applications.
The trials were conducted earlier this month off the south coast of England, showcasing the capabilities of Herne, an extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle (XLAUV), developed by BAE Systems for military surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and protection of underwater infrastructure.
Herne is equipped with advanced autonomous technology that allows militaries to monitor and protect vital underwater infrastructure, perform anti-submarine warfare operations, and conduct covert surveillance missions. Configured by BAE Systems, the XLAUV can operate across the vast seabed without the need for a crew, allowing for missions that are both cost-effective and designed to minimize risks to personnel.
The recent trials saw Herne conduct a pre-programmed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance mission using Nautomate, BAE Systems’ platform-agnostic high-specification autonomous military control system. Nautomate had previously been successfully trialed on surface vessels earlier this year, and its integration into the underwater domain marks another step forward for autonomous maritime technology.
“Herne is a game changer in the underwater battlespace,” said Scott Jamieson, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Maritime Services business. “It will give our customers a cost-effective autonomous capability that will allow for a wide range of missions, end the reliance on crewed platforms, keeping people out of harm’s way and boosting endurance.”
Nautomate can be fitted to existing or new-build vessels, providing users with the option to enhance their autonomous capabilities, allowing for greater scale, endurance, and persistence. By eliminating the need for human crews to operate in dangerous environments, personnel can be redeployed to focus on tasks where human expertise is most valuable.
The Herne submarine also offers the advantage of extended operational duration. Without the requirement for resupply or life support systems, Herne can patrol the underwater domain for much longer periods than traditional crewed alternatives. The system’s open architecture also allows for upgrades and mission-specific plug-ins, ensuring that Herne can evolve as new technologies and operational tactics develop.
BAE Systems collaborated with Canadian company Cellula Robotics to bring Herne from “whiteboard to water” in just 11 months. This rapid development timeline underscores the pace at which BAE Systems can deliver cutting-edge autonomous maritime capabilities.
With the successful demonstration of Herne’s capabilities, BAE Systems will continue refining the XLAUV, conducting additional trials to meet specific customer requirements. As militaries around the world seek to increase the use of autonomous systems to enhance their strategic capabilities, Herne represents a significant step forward in underwater military technology.