JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser.
For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser.
The Royal Navy has always been at the forefront of technology and innovation, and has adapted to evolving threats by making sure it innovates to maintain competitive advantage. The Navy’s long history shows that this is driven by bold thinking, inspirational leadership, empowerment, diversity and most of all calculated risk-taking. Thinking differently allows us to act differently and this is how we maintain our operational advantage.
By applying our greatest thinking, resource and effort we will realise the greatest gain.
PODS are interchangeable modules that can be fitted to the surface fleet. Similar in design to a shipping container, the PODS create the idea of a ‘plug and play’ warship and will enable Royal Navy ships of all sizes to be more adaptable and versatile when deployed.
Delivered using innovative technology such as heavy-lift drones or autonomous boats, a ship will be able to receive the equipment it needs to be re-tasked quicker without the need to go into a port to collect it.
Large in size, the PODS will house assets vital to supporting Royal Navy operations. These may include an autonomous boat for surveillance and reconnaissance, quadcopter drones to deliver supplies, humanitarian aid and disaster relief stores or medical equipment. Versatile in their approach, they have the capacity to become an additional medical room for service personnel at sea or a control centre for Royal Marines’ operations.
Individual PODS will contain a system, or multiple systems which contribute towards a mission specific capability. We have already started to conceptualise and work on several options including, but not limited to:
Command and Control – To deliver agile Command and Control for multiple forces utilising the Naval Strike Network (NSN)
Strike – To deliver a scalable strike solution
Launcher – To deliver scalable solutions for uncrewed air system launch
Factory – To deliver rapid repair and prototyping in theatre.
Only by bringing PODS and platforms together will true operational effect be achieved. Interchangeable, Interconnected and Integrated PODS will bring agility to respond to the variety of tasking. Irrespective of location, our platforms will be more flexible, effective, productive and READY when serving alone or within a Task Group.
The future of the Royal Navy and how it could further embrace autonomous technology, including drones, has been unveiled.
Led by a design challenge for young engineers from UK Naval Engineering Science and Technology (UKNEST), the Royal Navy will develop a Future Autonomous Fleet programme that could shape how it operates over the next 50 years.
Stemming from the design challenge, the future vision envisages drones based in the stratosphere to be launched at a moment’s notice; un-crewed fast attack crafts housing smaller autonomous boats; aircraft carriers propelled by both sea-based biofuels and wind power; and an underwater flagship at the centre of the fleet. Other conceptual ideas include the increased use of artificial intelligence to assist with low-level planning and underwater transport units carrying anything from munitions to food.
Read 2SL's full speech
Download your How To Build guide
Download
View all featured stories
The team responsible for introducing autonomous minehunting into front-line operations in the Gulf has...
13 March 2024
Using artificial technology to help with exercise, wearing the correct base layers for...
08 March 2024
Topic:Equipment and TechTechnology
Storyline: Technology and Equipment
The Royal Navy's ability to adapt to any operation at a moment's notice has advanced...
07 March 2024
Royal Navy specialists joined forces with Japanese counterparts in Tokyo to fend off...
29 February 2024
Topic:Operational activityInternational partnership
Storyline: International Partnerships
The Royal Navy has worked alongside scientists to continue the next phase of experiments...
16 February 2024
Want all the latest news about technology and innovation in the Royal Navy? Add this page to your favourites.
favourites
