Royal Navy launches US Mk 48 torpedo from uncrewed submersible in AUKUS test
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On September 13, 2026, the Royal Navy successfully launched a U.S. Navy Mk 48 Heavyweight Torpedo from a British Excalibur uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV) at the British Underwater Test & Evaluation Centre in Scotland. The test, conducted under AUKUS Pillar 2, validated the mechanical, electrical, and software integration of a U.S. kinetic payload onto an allied autonomous vessel, demonstrating weapon interchangeability. Adm. Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations, called it 'a historic first for allied undersea warfare,' stating it validates a shared vision for true interchangeability and increases combat power. The Mk 48 MOD 7 torpedo, optimized for traditional and emerging missions, was launched from a cradle attached to the hull of the 40-foot Excalibur, which lacks torpedo tubes. The proof of concept is the first step, with follow-on acceleration under Project CUTLASS using the Anduril Dive-XL platform to mature uncrewed undersea capabilities.
Source report
The Royal Navy has successfully launched a U.S. Navy Mk 48 Heavyweight Torpedo from a British Excalibur uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV), marking a significant step toward allied operational fleets of uncrewed vehicles.
The successful September 13 launch at the British Underwater Test & Evaluation Centre in Scotland highlights a major operational achievement for AUKUS Pillar 2 — a multilateral agreement between the U.S., U.K., and Australia to enable Uncrewed Undersea Vehicle payload systems that can be used across each country’s UUVs, according to the May 2026 agreement.
While still a proof of concept, the successful test, according to the Navy press release, "validated the mechanical, electrical, and software integration of a U.S. kinetic payload onto an allied autonomous vessel, proving that allied forces can rapidly achieve weapon interchangeability."
Key Statements
The allied cooperation and testing marks "a historic first for allied undersea warfare," said Adm. Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations.
"Proving that we can seamlessly launch a U.S. heavyweight torpedo from a Royal Navy autonomous underwater vehicle validates our shared vision for true interchangeability. By integrating weapons, payloads, and mission architectures across allied platforms, we are increasing the flexibility, scale, and combat power of our combined forces and ensuring they are ready to meet the strategic demands of tomorrow."
Technical Details
- Mk 48 Torpedo (MOD 7): The latest version, developed through a Joint Development Program with the Royal Australian Navy, is optimized for both "traditional and emerging missions," according to the Navy. It measures 19 feet long with a 21-inch diameter.
- Excalibur UUV: Unveiled in May 2025, it is the Royal Navy's first uncrewed submarine, measuring nearly 40 feet in length.
- Launch Configuration: From video of the event, the Mk 48 torpedo was placed under the submersible and launched from a cradle attached to the hull of the UUV.
According to the U.K.'s Navy Lookout, "Excalibur has no torpedo tubes, but a large central payload bay with doors at the top and bottom. However, the Mk 48 torpedo… is too long to fit in the standard central payload bay."
With close coordination between the two navies, it is conceivable that future UUVs will deploy sophisticated weapon launch arrangements suitable for both British and American-made technologies.
Next Steps
The successful deployment of the heavyweight torpedo is just the first step under AUKUS Pillar 2. This proof of concept is the beginning of an aggressive "follow-on acceleration with Project CUTLASS" that will utilize the Anduril Dive-XL platform and tackle "advanced payload integration data, command and control architectures, and tactical employment scenarios to further mature uncrewed undersea capabilities," per the release.
About the Author
Claire Barrett is an editor and military history correspondent for Military Times. She holds a master's degree in military history from King's College, London, and is also a World War II researcher with an unparalleled affinity for Sir Winston Churchill and Michigan football.
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US, UK test-launch Mk 48 torpedo from Royal Navy unmanned sub in AUKUS trial