In a First, U.K. Royal Navy Launches Uncrewed Submersible from Japanese Warship

U.K. Royal Navy specialists deployed an uncrewed underwater vehicle from a Japanese warship for the first time during the recent International Maritime Exercise (IMX) in the Gulf region.

The Mine and Threat Exploitation Group (MTXG) worked with JS Bungo, a Uraga-class mine countermeasure vessel from the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF), to detect and classify underwater threats. X-Ray Unit 1, MTXG’s team of uncrewed vehicle operators, launched the Remus 300 submersible to locate and identify objects during the sea phase of the exercise.

In an official statement, the navy confirmed that it utilized uncrewed technology to detect and gather information on underwater threats and launched such equipment from an allied warship for the first time.

The IMX, the world’s second-largest maritime exercise, involved over 30 nations and 5,000 personnel across the Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, and the Gulf. Scenarios included tackling terrorism, smuggling, mine threats, and aerial drone attacks. This year’s drills emphasized uncrewed and autonomous systems and their role in countering emerging maritime threats.

MTXG’s use of the Remus 300 allows personnel to identify and neutralize underwater threats from a safe distance. Alongside X-Ray Units 1 and 3, the Royal Navy also deployed expert divers, bomb disposal teams from the Diving and Threat Exploitation Group, and Royal Marines from 42 Commando, specializing in boarding operations.

The REMUS 300 is an uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV) manufactured by U.S.-based company Hydroid, a subsidiary of Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII). HII acquired Hydroid from Norwegian aerospace and defense company Kongsberg for $350 million in March 2020.

The REMUS 300 is used for mine countermeasures (MCM), search and recovery (SAR), rapid environmental assessment (REA), hydrographic surveys, renewable energy projects, marine archaeology, offshore oil and gas operations, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).