Overview
- Over 72 hours, operators on XV Patrick Blackett in Portsmouth remotely controlled five of seven 7.2‑metre Rattler USVs in Scottish waters roughly 500 miles away.
- Live video and sensor data streamed to controllers with minimal delay, enabling coordinated escort tasks and surveillance in real time.
- The Rattlers formed a protective formation with HMS Biter, HMS Tyne, HMS Stirling Castle and a Merlin helicopter during the simulated escort mission.
- Built on RIB hulls with autonomy packages and modular payloads, the boats use portable two-person consoles, can run pre-programmed routes and are intended to gain greater autonomy.
- The DCTO-led effort, executed with the Fleet Experimentation Squadron and small specialist firms, advances rapid Hybrid Navy experimentation, with reporters noting potential use to monitor foreign vessels near the UK.