U.S. and UK navies successfully launch 3,700-pound submarine-sinking torpedo from robotic drone submarine in historic first
The U.S. Navy and Royal Navy have successfully launched a 3,700-pound Mk 48 heavyweight torpedo from Britain’s uncrewed XV Excalibur submarine, marking the first time the weapon has been fired from an autonomous underwater vehicle
On September 13, the United States and United Kingdom navies successfully demonstrated a historic first in autonomous warfare by launching a 3,700-pound submarine-sinking torpedo from a robotic drone submarine. The experimental launch took place at the British Underwater Test & Evaluation Center in Scotland, marking a milestone in allied undersea capabilities.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle declared the groundbreaking test a validation of their shared vision for interchangeable weapons, payloads, and mission architectures across allied platforms. The joint exercise, codenamed Project Broadsword, demonstrated the seamless integration of a U.S. heavyweight torpedo onto a British autonomous underwater vehicle, increasing the flexibility, scale, and combat power of combined forces.
The endeavor, part of AUKUS Pillar 2, a defense technology partnership between the U.S., U.K., and Australia, aimed to accelerate the deployment of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and autonomous underwater systems. Project Broadsword, approved in February 2026, executed in just seven months, involved the XV Excalibur, a British Royal Navy Extra-Large Uncrewed Underwater Vessel capable of remote or autonomous operations.
The specialized cradle attached to XV Excalibur externally held the 2-ton torpedo, designed to target deep-diving submarines and high-speed surface ships. Following Project Broadsword, the U.S. Navy plans to advance to Project CUTLASS, focusing on payload integration, command and control architectures, and tactical employment scenarios.
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