Royal Navy launches torpedo from XV Excalibur uncrewed submarine

The Royal Navy has successfully completed a milestone trial involving the launch and control of a US Navy Mk48 Mod 4 heavyweight torpedo from the XV Excalibur, an Extra-Large Uncrewed Underwater Vessel (XLUUV). Conducted off the coast of Scotland near Kyle of Lochalsh at the British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre, the experiment marks the first time a Royal Navy uncrewed submarine has fired a torpedo.

The three-week operation, codenamed Project Broadsword in the United States and Trial Iron in the UK, was delivered within six months under the AUKUS Pillar 2 framework. This initiative aims to develop rapid military capabilities and advanced undersea warfare systems for the UK, US, and Australia. The trial utilized QinetiQ’s range and Hammerhead uncrewed surface vessels as targets.

General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, the First Sea Lord, described the event as a “pivotal moment for AUKUS,” noting that the collaboration demonstrates the ability of the three allies to deliver credible fighting capabilities through a “Hybrid Navy” model. The successful deployment of the XV Excalibur, which was fitted with a specialist management system for this purpose, is part of a series of increasingly complex trials intended to bring torpedo-launching uncrewed vessels into operational service globally.