Story perspectives

Navantia Debuts Autonomous Vessel, £157M Upgrade Cuts Build Time

5/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

Navantia UK unveiled the LASV75 autonomous surface vessel at the Naval Event in Farnborough.
RAD launched its Autonomy Core system, offering retrofittable Degree 3 remote control and Degree 4 autonomy.
Sir Nick Hine presented the Armor Force “commanded autonomy” concept, citing scale, persistence and data.
Navantia announced a £157 million shipyard upgrade that will cut construction time by up to 30 percent and said steel was cut in December for a £1.6 billion Fleet Solid Support ship.

History

Historical Context

From WWI German FL-boats to WWII US target drones, unmanned surface vessels have long evolved. DARPA’s ACTUV program christened the trimaran Sea Hunter on 7 April 2016; Leidos built the $20 million prototype that completed a 70-day autonomous trial that year. The ship later joined RIMPAC 2022, paving the way for Navantia UK’s 2024 LASV75 and broader naval autonomy.

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Story summary

Navantia UK unveiled the LASV75 autonomous surface vessel at the Naval Event in Farnborough.
RAD launched its Autonomy Core system, offering retrofittable Degree 3 remote control and Degree 4 autonomy.
Sir Nick Hine presented the Armor Force “commanded autonomy” concept, citing scale, persistence and data.
Navantia announced a £157 million shipyard upgrade that will cut construction time by up to 30 percent and said steel was cut in December for a £1.6 billion Fleet Solid Support ship.

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