Future of the Royal Navy: cheap drones and autonomous vessels

The navy’s plans were “more radical” than Britain’s allies and its adversaries...Kaushal added that the survivability of the CCVs was unproven and military chiefs would have to consider the possibly of them becoming prime targets as enemies try to knock out networks of drone vessels. The large autonomous submersibles designed to work alongside crewed hunter-killer attack submarines could also pose a danger if they increase their underwater “signature” and expose them to enemy sonar. Kaushal said the new navy would have a “personnel effect”, but it would not necessarily mean the force would shrink and sailors would take up “shore jobs” when more uncrewed vessels come into operation. “This can help with things like retention, because obviously people can live closer to families."