The Royal Navy has taken delivery of another important building block in the realisation of its strategy to increase the use of autonomous vehicles. The Navy's own innovator NavyX recently officially took delivery of another boat, which will be used to carry out various tests and investigations for a year. The vehicle is called Madfox (Maritime Demonstrator for Operational Experimentation) and is a further development of the Mast-13 from L3Harris. Mast-13 has been put through its paces by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) over the past 18 months. HMS Albion successfully experimented with Mast-13 off the Norwegian coast.
Madfox on the pier in Portsmouth
Since delivery of the Madfox, the boat has been prepared for the extensive test programmes. Over the coming months, NavyX will be investigating how the unmanned vehicle can usefully accompany and support military operations, including complex missions. Particular attention will be paid to the areas of surveillance and force protection. However, the foundations for safe and compliant operation will also be tested. In addition, payloads are to be developed that enable innovative approaches to warfare.
Later in the year, NavyX will also receive an autonomous Rigid Inflatable Boad (RIB). Both vehicles will be used to test which areas of operation can be assigned to small autonomous vehicles. In future, the Type 26 and 31 frigates are to receive such boats.
Manufacturer L3Harris built the Madfox for NavyX
Text: mb; Photos: Royal Navy/Crown Copyright
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