RN Project Cabot and Atlantic Bastion

[Kirkhill]

First Sea Lord's update on Bastion developments.

First Sea Lord expands on hybrid navy vision in landmark Fisher lecture - Navy Lookout

General Gwyn Jenkins delivered the inaugural Lord Fisher lecture at RUSI today, setting out the Royal Navy's transformation into a hybrid fleet of crewed and autonomous platforms. The First Sea Lord announced results of wargamed analysis, confirmed the delivery of more USVs, and launched a...

www.navylookout.com

The commentary suggests that UxVs cannot replace crewed systems.
The FSL doesn't seem to be suggesting that.
He seems to be explicit that the UxVs are adjuncts.

I would agree with that.

But.

Given the state of affairs I would be looking to find out just how much can be done in the short term with UxVs on their own.
Then figure out how the crewed assets, the ships, subs and aircraft, need to work in the new environment.
LInebacking the UxVs if you will.
Not Quarterbacking them.

Plugging the gaps.

I think that will get the best use out of the limited crewed resources available.

 

[Kirkhill]

Lots of Bastion news today.

The 3P defence plan continues. Public Private Partnership

UK set to decide Atlantic Net mission partner

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is just weeks away from choosing a commercial mission partner that will provide a geographically-focused undersea intelligence,...

www.janes.com

 

[Kirkhill]

Nuffink to worry abaht!

29 Sept 2025

"Sir Chris Bryant MP, the Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms, told the Committee it that it was being apocalyptic and "over-egging the pudding" by examining the possibility of a co-ordinated attack. "We disagree," the Committee said in the report, arguing that the security situation in the next decade is uncertain."

Submarine cable security is all at sea

Feature: Guess how much of our direct transatlantic data capacity runs through two cables in Bude?

www.theregister.com

9 Apr 2026

UK says Russia ran submarine operation over cables and pipelines

Defence Secretary John Healey says there is "no evidence" of any damage to UK infrastructure in the Atlantic.

www.bbc.com

....

From the first article:

"There are 64 cables connecting the UK to the outside world, according to the report, carrying most of the country's internet traffic. Satellites can't shoulder the data volumes involved, are too expensive, and only account for around 5 percent of traffic globally."

JEF acting on the issue

10 Jun 2024

NORDIC WARDEN enhances protection of critical undersea infrastructure

During the first week of NORDIC WARDEN, the ten participant nations of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) have intensified their cooperation and focus on the protection of Critical Undersea Infras…

jefnations.org

 

[Kirkhill]

An Aussie view on "the big, bad RN", pace Pete Hegseth.

Suffice to say, he agrees with Pete.

A concern for Australia: Britain looks unserious about naval defence | The Strategist

Australia should have a big concern. Britain, a country that Australia is relying on for its future submarine force and much else under AUKUS, looks seriously unserious about naval defence. Quite apart from the challenge ...

www.aspistrategist.org.au

I think it is reasonable to suggest rhe RCN is in similar shape to the RN.

 

[Kirkhill]

"Kraken Technology Group has warned that covering the High North effectively will require significant mass rather than a patchwork approach, in written evidence to the Defence Committee’s Defence in the High North inquiry, arguing that persistent monitoring of the GIUK Gap requires enough uncrewed vessels to cover the entire operating area."

Kraken warns patchwork won’t cover the High North

Kraken Technology Group has warned that covering the High North effectively will require significant mass rather than a patchwork approach, arguing that persistent monitoring of the GIUK Gap requires enough uncrewed vessels to cover the entire operating area.

ukdefencejournal.org.uk

....

Essentially Kraken is arguing, to its financial benefit, to adopt a Starlink strategy, and flood the zone. Prior to Starlink satellites were counted in their dozens. Musk is launching thousands.

Small enduring UUVs and USVs with endurances in the North Atlantic measured in the months, if not years, are already being referred to as "sea satellites" Craft like seagliders (powered by gravity and buoyancy), wave gliders (wave action and solar), saildrones (wind and solar, sometime with a diesel auxilliary). Kraken Scouts can drift for weeks but only navigate for days. But they, together with the others would probably supply the mass to which Kraken refers. Kraken would provide the linebackers to the others.

Complementing the Krakens on the surface could be the Anglo-Canadian Herne AUV with its 5000 km range, 45 day endurance and carrying capacity for more than half-a-dozen heavyweight torpedos.