Robots tested as part of Unmanned Warrior exercise off Islands

Military exercise '˜Unmanned Warrior' gets underway in the Islands this week, the exercise will focus on the ideas for the future of autonomous systems at sea.

Lieutenant Commander Clive Langmead, commented: “QinetiQ, as part of its long term partnership agreement with MoD have prepared the flying and underwater ranges which it runs in Benbecula, Stornoway, Applecross and the Kyle of Lochalsh, including erecting hangars and laying a dummy mine field for the robots to try and find.

“Several RN Mine Hunters will also be trying to do the same. So this will be a very direct test of new systems against old.

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“The Mine Hunters already use remotely piloted submarines in their work, but Unmanned Warrior is hoping to show things can be taken a stage further.”

Also being tested is the British Army’s UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) ‘Watchkeeper’.

In the trials Watchkeeper will range out over the ocean in watchful support of the ships heading north for Joint Warrior 2016 operation.

Also heading through the Irish Sea under Watchkeeper’s eye will be the DSTL (Defence Scientific and Technology Laboratory) civilian chartered vessel ‘Northern River’ which will host at sea a dozen unmanned systems through the three weeks of autonomous demonstrations.