Overview
Herne is a modular, highly configurable Extra Large Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (XLAUV); a military capability at the forefront of the underwater battlespace. With a flexible and innovative design approach, the Herne XLAUV provides a new military capability enabling navies to cover more of the underwater battlespace than ever before. Positioning Herne XLAUV at the forefront of the battlespace removes reliance and risk to large platforms and critical resources whilst providing a range of new mission capability. At the core of Herne’s configurable design is the latest in battery, propulsion and autonomy technology, providing maximum mission endurance. With large adaptable payload modules comprising of underwater and surface capability; Herne is capable of hosting a wide range of mission-specific payloads that can be configured to meet various mission profiles including defensive and expeditionary roles.
Proven experience in military underwater platform design
Leveraging our extensive knowledge of the underwater battlespace, the Herne XLAUV integrates the latest military technologies to advance the capabilities of navies around the world.
- Military assured design - Designed to work specifically in a military application, and meet required military standards
- Trusted autonomous systems powered by Nautomate - Herne's sophisticated command chain design is underpinned by years of pedigree in surface autonomy
- Rapid mission reconfiguration - Understanding that mission profiles can change, Herne's software has been specifically designed to have the ability to be reconfigured for each operation
- Signature management - Every component has been intrinsically designed to have a low acoustic signature
- Secure data and communications - Robust and secure data and communications packages sit at the core of the design to enable effective communication with the host platform
- Flexible payload integration - With proven experience in payload integration, Herne's modular design allows for multiple potential payload options including ROUVs, range extenders and advanced sonars
- Accurate navigation - Integrated on the Herne XLAUV platform is a tried and tested navigation system
- Secure digital network and battlespace integration - Trusted to safely share data across a wider digital battlespace network
- Established naval architecture - Trusted by navies around the world to design the most complex naval platforms, Herne's design benefits from a rich heritage in naval architecture
Herne® XLAUV
Herne® XLAUV
Modular design approach
Core to Herne's unique design is the level of flexibility with adaptable modules to allow the platform to be adapted to meet mission requirements. Key features of the modular design include:
Flexible platform size
Launch and recovery
Payload space
Ease of service and maintenance
Applications
With adaptable modules Herne can be configured to meet various homeland defence and expeditionary roles including:
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Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
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Protecting Critical National Infrastructure
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Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR)
Collaboration
We have established collaborative relationships to design, develop and deliver world leading XLAUV solutions. We continue to welcome small enterprises to larger defence primes to join our AUV collaboration network to integrate the best technologies and provide market leading capability to navies around the world.
In 2024 we successfully collaborated with Cellula Robotics Ltd to conduct an in-water UK demonstration of Herne XLAUV.
And in 2025 we signed a 10-year Strategic Partnership Agreement with them to collaborate on the development and market delivery.