UK plans large USV demonstration to inform Hybrid Navy vision

The FADS L-USV demonstrator is intended to provide evidence to support the RN's Hybrid Navy vision. Shown here is the hybrid ARMOR Force concept put forward by Babcock in partnership with HII. (Babcock International)

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is planning extended trials of a large unmanned surface vehicle (L-USV) demonstrator to generate evidence informing the Royal Navy's (RN's) vision of a future ‘Hybrid Navy' mixing manned, unmanned, and increasingly autonomous platforms.

Operating within the projected Future Air Dominance System (FADS) programme, the L-USV Accelerator project is intended to deliver “a structured, trials led programme to prove that an L-USV (>24 m) can be legally certified, safely operated, and integrated in consort with a crewed Royal Navy platform,” the MoD told Janes on 27 April. It is understood that a contract award is planned by the end of September 2026, with the intention to have the L-USV demonstrator ready for operational trials during 2027.

An initial contract notice for the FADS L-USV Accelerator was published by the MoD in February 2026. This called for the provision of an L-USV with a length of over 24 m to undertake operational trials for up to four years (comprising a two-year base period with two option years). Trials activities will be split into different phases, with later trials intended to include integration with MoD-furnished systems.

“[FADS L-USV] is a time bound demonstration project that delivers early, credible evidence to inform Hybrid Navy decisions,” the MoD said. “Phase 1 will demonstrate autonomous operations and regulatory compliance. Phase 2 will integrate additional capabilities into the L-USV.”