BAE Systems wins LR’s certification for autonomous RIB

BAE Systems Autonomous Pacific 24 (AP24) rigid inflatable boat (RIB) has been awarded Lloyd’s Register Unmanned Marine Systems Certification. 

As informed, it is the first uncrewed military vessel to achieve this certification, which verifies stringent safety and operational performance standards. 

The AP24 RIB was developed by BAE Systems for the Royal Navy under funding from the NavyX autonomy and lethality accelerator programme, which aims to deliver new technology at pace. It is a step-change for the Royal Navy in uncrewed operations, adding capability and flexibility to naval military missions.

“Our Unmanned Marine Systems Certification assesses unmanned vessels against a set of safety and operational performance requirements to provide assurance to certify the safe design, build and maintenance,” Paul James, Head of UK&I Naval at Lloyd’s Register said.

“BAE Systems’ Autonomous Pacific 24 has been tested against our assurance framework and we are pleased to provide BAE Systems the first Lloyd’s Register UMS Certification on an uncrewed naval vessel.”

The uncrewed AP24 RIB has potential to undertake missions such as force protection and anti-piracy, persistent intelligence gathering and maritime security to meet the evolving threats of modern warfare and keep sailors safe.

It is designed to be part of a modern, multi-domain force and can share sensor data easily and securely with allies and enhance the Royal Navy’s operational effectiveness at sea whilst reducing threats to its sailors.