UK firms propose USV-mounted counter-UAS missile launcher for maritime air defence

Babcock, ACUA and Frankenburg signed an MoU to integrate a multi-domain launcher and low-cost precision-guided missiles onto ACUA uncrewed surface vessels to provide persistent maritime counter-drone air defence. The novelty is the concept of an autonomous, sea-going “missile picket” platform intended to stay on-station for long periods and defend ports/ships/infrastructure against mass one-way drone attacks.