The Royal Navy, the British navy, has used artificial intelligence at sea for the first time. It was during the "Formidable Shield" exercise, currently taking place off the coast of Scotland, that AI was exploited by the maritime component of the UK army. Two applications were tested to combat supersonic missile threats. "Formidable Shield is an exercise designed to test the weapons systems of ten NATO navies and their interoperability against the latest and most advanced threats. Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, the United States and the United Kingdom participate in the initiative, which takes place every two years for three weeks. As part of the exercise, a British operational experiment was conducted on HMS Dragon, a Type 45 destroyer, and HMS Lancaster, a Type 23 frigate. Two AI applications called Startle and Sycoiea were tested to combat a potential supersonic missile threat. "It is vital that our brave and skilled armed forces stay in the game for the security of the UK and our allies.

A rtificial intelligence (AI) has been used by the Royal Navy at sea for the first time – testing against supersonic missile threats. The research is being led by Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) scientists – with the AI being tested on destroyer HMS Dragon and frigate HMS Lancaster. The MoD said the AI improves the early detection of lethal threat, accelerates engagement timelines and provides Royal Navy Commanders with a rapid hazard assessment to select the optimum weapon or measure to counter and destroy the target. "The Royal Navy's use of AI for the first time at sea is an important development in ensuring readiness to tackle threats we may face. The Royal Navy's use of AI for the first time at sea is an important development in ensuring readiness to tackle threats we may face. A rtificial intelligence (AI) has been used by the Royal Navy at sea for the first time – testing against supersonic missile threats. The research is being led by Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) scientists – with the AI being tested on destroyer HMS Dragon and frigate HMS Lancaster. The MoD said the AI improves the early detection of lethal threat, accelerates engagement timelines and provides Royal Navy Commanders with a rapid hazard assessment to select the optimum weapon or measure to counter and destroy the target. "The Royal Navy's use of AI for the first time at sea is an important development in ensuring readiness to tackle threats we may face.

This Operational Experiment (OpEx) on the Type 45 Destroyer (HMS Dragon) and Type 23 Frigate (HMS Lancaster), is using the A.I. applications, Startle and Sycoiea, which were tested against a supersonic missile threat. As part of the Above Water Systems programme, led by Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) scientists, the A.I. improves the early detection of lethal threat, accelerates engagement timelines and provide Royal Navy Commanders with a rapid hazard assessment to select the optimum weapon or measure to counter and destroy the target. It's vital that our brave and highly skilled Armed Forces stay ahead of the game for the security of the United Kingdom and our allies. The Royal Navy's use of A.I. for the first time at sea is an important development in ensuring readiness to tackle threats we may face. I'm proud to see that two Scottish built Royal Navy vessels are at the heart of this exercise in the waters off the Hebrides.