The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom has launched an underwater technology demonstrator, developed by MSubs as part of the CETUS project, aimed at paving the way for future large unmanned underwater vehicles (XLUUVs). This 12-meter-long, 2.2-meter-wide craft can weigh up to 25 tons with a full payload and will undergo testing next month, following a £15.4 million contract awarded in November 2022. Funded through the British Spearhead program focused on anti-submarine warfare (ASW), the CETUS project is designed to mitigate risks associated with acquiring future large-scale underwater drones while allowing the Royal Navy to explore various uses of XLUUVs, such as anti-submarine operations, reconnaissance, and surveillance. Currently, the demonstrator can operate autonomously at sea for up to five days, with the capability to integrate additional batteries to extend its operational range. While leading naval powers like the U.S., China, Russia, and Japan are advancing large XLUUV projects, few are developing combat-ready variants, with India and China notably among those asserting intentions for offensive applications. The deployment of this demonstrator solidifies the UK’s position in the competitive landscape of advanced underwater warfare technologies.
