Crewless Pacific 24 boat set for trials with Royal Navy

News

The Royal Navy has launched and is set to test the autonomous capabilities of a crewless Pacific 24

Rigid Inflatable Boat.

Over £3m is being invested in the crewless Pacific 24 (P24), plus other autonomous small craft technology that could operate individually or in groups at speeds of up to 38 knots.

BAE Systems demonstrates unmanned armed boat

BAE Systems awarded £13.5m to build PAC 24s for Royal Navy

In service for over 25 years, the 7.8m long P24s have been fundamental to search-and-rescue duties, narcotics interdiction operations in the Caribbean and Middle East, and ferrying people and goods between ships or from ship to shore. According to the Royal Navy, crewless vessels might perform the same, similar, or entirely new missions.

In a statement, Minister for Defence Procurement Jeremy Quin said: “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.”

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