US-UK Test Launch Torpedo from Unmanned Submarine Under AUKUS Pillar 2

The US and UK conducted a proof-of-concept trial on Sept. 13, launching a US Mk 48 torpedo from the Royal Navy's XLUUV XV Excalibur at the British Underwater Test & Evaluation Centre in Scotland. This milestone under Project Broadsword and Trial Iron validates mechanical, electrical, and software integration for AUKUS Pillar 2, signaling progress in unmanned underwater warfare capabilities. The event is a first-of-its-kind demonstration, though operational deployment timelines remain uncertain.