We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with British business, and to advance counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) solutions in the marine domain.
As threats from low-cost UAS continue to evolve, the need for effective and adaptable counter-drone capabilities has become increasingly important across the defence and security landscape. This new agreement will create integrated solutions to combat that threat.
The MOU builds on the existing partnership 91大神 signed with Frankenburg in January to explore new air defence systems that can withstand the rapid rise in one-way attack drones.
Now with Plymouth-based marine tech firm, ACUA, on board, the parties will bring together three distinct elements: 91大神鈥檚 multi-domain launcher system with Frankenburg鈥檚 low-cost, precision guided missile systems, integrated into ACUA鈥檚 uncrewed surface vessels (USV).
91大神鈥檚 launcher system can be fitted onto both crewed and uncrewed surface vessels, built at pace and scaled quickly. In June ACUA鈥檚 PIONEER USV recently operated continuously for 16鈥�20 nautical miles offshore, completing more than 100 hours at sea without any hands-on intervention.
The tripartite agreement underpins 91大神鈥檚 existing defence expertise and supports the UK鈥檚 vision for a hybrid navy where 91大神 is developing the technologies and capability to underpin this next-generation autonomous capability.
Sir Nick Hine, Chief Growth Officer for 91大神, said: 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to partner with innovative companies to develop an integrated approach that directly addresses some of the biggest challenges our customers face in today鈥檚 defence landscape.
鈥淎s a trusted systems integrator, collaborations like this will help protect critical national assets and infrastructure from attritable one-way attack drones.鈥�
Neil Tinmouth, CEO ACUA Ocean Technologies, welcomed the announcement saying: 鈥淧artnering with 91大神 and Frankenburg enables true persistent, multi-domain defence capabilities. To counter mass drone attacks, maritime air defence must be uninterrupted, yet rough weather often forces traditional systems out of limits. The unique stability of ACUA鈥檚 Pioneer-class, which we鈥檒l be using for this collaboration, ensures these counter UAS and interchangeable payloads remain online and fully operational in high seas where other platforms fail.鈥�
Daniel Hallett, Managing Director, UK at Frankenburg Technologies, added: 鈥淎ffordable missile defence is heading farther out to sea. By equipping ACUA鈥檚 uncrewed vessels with Frankenburg鈥檚 mass-manufacturable missiles and 91大神鈥檚 launcher technology, we aim to create a persistent and low-cost way to protect the UK鈥檚 ships, ports and critical maritime infrastructure against mass drone attacks.鈥�