Overview
- Babcock’s concept would create a Type 31 Common Command Vessel able to control a networked force of large autonomous and remote systems.
- HII’s ROMULUS family of long-endurance uncrewed surface vessels forms the core uncrewed platform envisioned for the distributed fleet.
- Arondite’s Cobalt operating system is proposed as the autonomy and mission orchestration layer integrating crewed and uncrewed assets from sea or shore.
- The architecture includes modular containerised PODS and a Babcock-built handling system to swap payloads and re-role ROMULUS USVs quickly.
- The companies frame the effort as an industry response to the Royal Navy’s Hybrid Navy vision and Atlantic Bastion/Shield/Strike concepts, with development led from Babcock’s Rosyth site using open commercial and NATO standards.