US and UK navies launch Mk 48 torpedo from drone submarine in first

September 27, 2026 at 03:30 PM1 min

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The U.S. Navy and British Royal Navy launched a U.S. Mk 48 heavyweight torpedo from the Royal Navy's uncrewed submarine XV Excalibur on September 13 at the British Underwater Test & Evaluation Center in Scotland. The proof-of-concept launch marks a historic first for allied undersea warfare, validating weapon interchangeability between the two navies.

Key Facts

The launch took place on September 13 at the British Underwater Test & Evaluation Center (BUTEC) in Scotland.
The torpedo was launched from the Royal Navy's uncrewed drone submarine XV Excalibur.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle called the test a historic first for allied undersea warfare.
The exercise proved that a U.S. heavyweight torpedo can be launched from a Royal Navy autonomous underwater vehicle.

The Launch

The U.S. Navy and the British Royal Navy jointly launched an exercise U.S. Mk 48 heavyweight torpedo from the Royal Navy's uncrewed drone submarine, XV Excalibur. The proof-of-concept launch took place on September 13 at the British Underwater Test & Evaluation Center (BUTEC) in Scotland. The Mk 48 torpedo weighs 3,700 pounds and is designed to sink submarines.

Official Statements

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle said, "This successful test marks a historic first for allied undersea warfare." Caudle added that proving the ability to launch a U.S. heavyweight torpedo from a Royal Navy autonomous underwater vehicle validates the shared vision for true interchangeability. He stated that integrating weapons, payloads, and mission architectures across allied platforms increases flexibility, scale, and combat power.