The War Zone – General Atomics has revealed work for a carrier-capable fifth member of its Gambit drone family, which is based around a common modular core ‘chassis’ concept. The company has also presented a larger vision for how this new uncrewed aircraft could fit into a future air wing aboard the United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth class carriers. Carrier-based Gambits could be of interest to other potential customers, including the U.S. Navy, and a stepping stone to future pilotless naval aviation capabilities.

Navy Lookout – The RN has begun pre-procurement engagement with industry for the MRSS project and has offered some initial insights into its requirements. Here we look at the outline specification and the significant challenges that must be overcome to deliver these ships.

Navy Lookout – On 4th July, an F-35 of 809 Naval Air Squadron took to the air for the first time. This was the first independent flight since the RN fast jet squadron was stood up last year and is another small step in the development of UK Carrier Strike capability.

Guardian – Attempts by Harland & Wolff to restore the city’s industrial prowess could be dashed as the new government beds in, but the famous firm is already in choppy waters elsewhere.

Navy Lookout – The threat of war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, in addition to the ongoing struggle in the Red Sea, is testing the ability of the US and its allies to respond. Here we look at naval dispositions in the region.

Navy Lookout – It has emerged that the RN plans to acquire up to three ‘survivable, non-complex warships’ designed from the outset to be motherships for autonomous mine-hunting boats.

Navy Lookout – The RN has issued a Request for Information (RFI) notice to industry for what it calls a future Long Range Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon (LRAW). Here we consider the options and what the implications would be if this weapon is brought into service.

Navy Lookout – Harland and Wolff has the potential to become increasingly pivotal to the future of the Royal Navy with its extensive facilities and its key role in the construction of the Fleet Solid Support Ships. Here we look at how the company is reviving shipbuilding against the odds.

Navy Lookout – Here we look at the latest developments in getting uncrewed aircraft into service and the RN’s longer-term vision for naval aviation.

Council on Geostrategy – As an island state, Britain and its overseas territories are heavily dependent on open access to the sea and freedom of navigation. The sea is a superhighway to access the rest of the world, whether by ship or by critical maritime infrastructure in the form of fibre optic cables, power lines, or gas pipelines. To meet its environmental commitments and maximise the opportunities of Net Zero, the UK also generates a growing percentage of its electricity from offshore wind farms. Guarding these maritime interests is the Royal Navy, as the custodian of the British nuclear deterrent which acts as the ultimate guarantor of the nation.

But a number of hostile states and competitors have grown stronger at sea over the past decade, countries which have sought to subvert the international order. To meet this challenge, it is widely acknowledged that Britain needs a larger and even more capable fleet. This Report provides a number of ideas as to how a stronger navy could be realised.

Navy Lookout – At the First Sea Lord’s Conference held this week in London, there were several announcements made about the future of the RN. Here we reflect on the news and events of the week.

Navy Lookout – When we summarised the condition of the RFA at the end of 2023 it was clear the service was facing significant challenges. In the last few months there has been little improvement and dissatisfaction amongst the shrinking workforce has come to a head.

Navy Lookout – In this article, we consider the potential upgrade projects at Devonport to accommodate Royal Navy warships into the next few decades.

Navy Lookout – The Defence Secretary will confirm in a speech today that the MRSS programme has been approved and the RN will receive up to 6 amphibious vessels.

Naval News – The UK Royal Navy is accelerating plans to build increased mass at sea, including by developing uncrewed air systems for operation from its two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.

UK Defence Journal – The Ministry of Defence has confirmed its commitment to outfitting multiple Royal Navy ships with the DragonFire Laser Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) by 2027.

(Thanks to Alain)

Navy Lookout – In this article we summarise the current status of the RN’s surface combatants.

Navy Lookout – Here we summarise recent progress with the Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigate programme and the £300 million shipyard infrastructure investments being made by BAE Systems in Glasgow.

Navy Lookout – There have been a swathe of negative news stories about the RN in the last 6 months and received wisdom is that the Navy is in terrible shape. While facing enormous challenges, the outlook is not all bleak and here we highlight some reasons to believe the RN is still a very credible fighting force.

Navy Lookout – In March 2022 the National Shipbuilding Strategy refresh was published. Two years on, we consider how realistic this looks and the issues that will influence the future surface fleet.

BBC – From the first shout of “fireball” the crew of HMS Diamond have just two minutes to react. In that time they have to work out whether the missile, travelling at more than three times the speed of sound, poses a direct threat to their ship and nearby merchant vessels.

Navy Lookout – The RN-led UK Maritime Trade Organisation (UKMTO) coordinates the flow of information around commercial shipping sailing in dangerous waters. Here we look at how this valuable service provides reassurance to mariners, improves safety of life at sea and helps reduce their risk of exposure to piracy or attack.

Navy Lookout – Steadfast Defender 2024 (STDE24) is the largest military exercise staged by NATO since the alliance conducted ‘Reforger’ in 1988. In this photo essay, we cover the RN’s participation in the maritime elements of the exercise.

NavyLookout – In late 2023 an aerial target was destroyed during a successful test firing of the UK’s DragonFire Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) technology demonstrator. Here we look at DragonFire and the possibility of operational derivatives.

Navy Lookout – Serving as part of a coalition force that repelled multiple attack drones launched by Houthi rebels, HMS Richmond destroyed 2 aerial drones with her Sea Ceptor missile system.