Navantia UK has unveiled a large autonomous surface vessel model as an example of the high-tech capabilities of its four shipyards, which are currently undergoing large-scale modernization.
Designed in the UK, Navantia proposes its Large Autonomous Surface Vessel, LASV75, as a key component of the hybrid navy, which combines traditional crewed warships alongside unmanned escorts and autonomous technologies such as drones.
Navantia UK’s design will provide persistent capability thanks to its size, range and speed characteristics, with adaptability for different missions through intelligent modularity. The vessel is designed from the keel to operate without a crew, offering high levels of availability.
The LASV75 can be built on a large scale and at high speed, at a significantly lower cost than manned vessels. Its modular helmet allows different configurations: sensorization, operation or a combination of both.
The concept, presented at the Combined Naval Event in Farnborough, reflects Navantia’s commitment to innovative solutions that reinforce the naval capabilities of the future, combining manned and unmanned platforms.
In this context, Navantia is deploying digital design tools and advanced automation solutions in its shipyards, with the aim of accelerating naval projects and improving their efficiency. These capabilities are part of the Shipyard 5.0 model, which integrates digital and production processes to optimize shipbuilding.
Thanks to this evolution, Navantia plans to reduce the standard design and construction times of large ships by up to 30%, contributing to the development of modular platforms that are faster to produce and more competitive in terms of costs.
Work is progressing apace on the £1.6 billion Fleet Solid Support program. Navantia UK began steel cutting at Appledore in December for the first of three vessels, and earlier this month the Seahorse, an 85-metre barge specifically designed to transport blocks and components between Appledore and Belfast, was launched from Metil.
Derek Jones, Commercial and Business Development Director at Navantia UK, said:
“Autonomous ships are critical to the future of sovereign defense capabilities. The naval capabilities of the future will consist of a hybrid combination of manned warships with escorts and unmanned auxiliary ships.
At Navantia UK we are investing significantly in our four shipyards to make them ideal partners to make this vision of the future a reality. With digital design capabilities and state-of-the-art automated technologies, our facility is transforming into some of the most advanced shipyards in Europe.
At the same time, we are making great progress on the Fleet Solid Support program, which involves the construction of some of the largest ships in the armed forces.”