Designed to monitor and protect underwater infrastructure as well as support anti-submarine warfare and covert surveillance missions, the Herne XLAUV submarine was recently trialed using BAE Systems’ Nautomate autonomous control system that integrates on surface and sub-surface vehicles.

Source: BAE Systems

According to its developers, the Herne XLAUV can operate without the need to resupply or carry life support systems, and it is reportedly able to patrol the sub surface domain for longer periods than a crewed alternative.

Further, XLAUV has been designed with multiple ways to launch and recover including from the harbor, a ship or submarine. It also features a large and flexible payload space, for hosting a range of mission-specific payloads and it is designed to fit within a 40 ft shipping container.

“Herne is a game changer in the underwater battlespace. 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,” said Scott Jamieson, managing director of BAE Systems’ Maritime Services business.