Royal Navy's first crewless drone boat is ready for testing after £3m project in Portsmouth

More than £3m has been invested on the new drone Pacific 24 boat and other autonomous crafts.

The hi-tech vessels can operate individually or in groups, racing over the ocean at speeds of up to 38 knots – almost 44mph.

Pacific 24s have been the backbone of sea boat operation in the navy for more than 25 years.

The craft are fundamental to search and rescue missions and drug busts at sea, where naval personnel drive the vessels to intercept and board boats used by smugglers.

But the new crewless version of the Pacific 24s could radically alter how such operations are carried out – as well as opening the doors to entirely new kinds of missions.

Defence minister Jeremy Quin, who is in charge of buying new kit for the military, said the vessels would play a key role in the navy’s future fleet.

‘Commencing the trials of the crewless Pacific 24 boat is an important stepping stone in the Royal Navy’s development of its autonomous capability to ensure our fleet remains at the forefront of military innovation and technology, ready to meet the evolving threats of modern warfare,’ the minister said.

The crewless Pacific 24 is sponsored by NavyX , the specialist wing of the Royal Navy which tests cutting-edge and new technologies for use on the front line.

The team has worked in partnership with BAE Systems, which builds Pacific 24s in Portsmouth.

The boat’s potential will be tested when it begins trials with a Royal Navy warship later this year.

This will determine whether the UK invests in a whole fleet, or just a few for specific missions.

‘The autonomous Pacific 24 is not just a step change for the Royal Navy in unmanned operations, it also ensures the navy remains at the forefront of technological improvement and innovation,’ said Lieutenant Commander Rob Manson of the NavyX team.

‘While initial tasks are likely to be familiar to those who already operate a Pacific 24, the autonomous nature of this craft adds huge capability and flexibility.’

Brooke Hoskins, products and training services director at BAE Systems added it had been ‘fantastic’ to see the first autonomous Pacific 24 hit the water.

‘This milestone has been a goal since we first demonstrated the unmanned capabilities of our Pacific boats to them last year,’ said Brooke.

Trials with the new craft begin this month, followed by integrating it into a front-line warship’s combat and navigation systems later in the year.

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