![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PQLGZDELCZFG5JAER2LPU3F4MA.jpg?smart=true&auth=b2b653b8966c04f0e291e4e2005311b7ce8c230bd80dac25ba681659a1eb7124&width=400&height=225)
The carrier vessel's unmanned craft.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4NXZGVQEAJA7VLXXYAVACRYF3M.jpg?smart=true&auth=fcfbae33d40c46167cff3b9e2f2b3d94c806398d1428baaff2b0a15e3fc37ef0&width=400&height=225)
Britain's underwater platform mothership, a minimally manned vessel with a brain coral outer skin. All photos: Royal Navy
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ATKQCNUUYVHADCJ2VE4MYWZN3U.jpg?smart=true&auth=4983f976008d5d48a8fed81eec588be2b2b997afc119a348133635157bd51c8b&width=400&height=225)
The underwater platform has 'hex blocks' - drones for underwater transport. They can be stowed away within the fold of the brain coral skin.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2N3TB7A4VRBQTJMPADKA3JL7N4.jpg?smart=true&auth=3a246ad9c3c7e4645e7256b3f0869824ca171ffbe2aea1e7c548fb40a92133dd&width=400&height=225)
An autonomous vessel with the underwater platform.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Q3XM6EGKOVCZRE7SLIKFEF3MZA.jpg?smart=true&auth=148f65b5776df17fd8028a8cb0080464be98adefa4a498ce87caa5f214f5dca7&width=400&height=225)
The navy's future fleet also includes a 'surface combatant mother ship'.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EW3N6GERZVHLJLD3WSNX7EDVHI.jpg?smart=true&auth=caed64fb6214adf2fa7a1caf493265072b01d809aa4ba82bf80d9060d2caa994&width=400&height=225)
A drone ship, which is stowed under the mother ship.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/W2VIBX65NZHNVOEFKMZF4UIQZY.jpg?smart=true&auth=3f557f90aa51905bfa47a156ae84feccbfd071fbe3262a143e7a66f13a92064a&width=400&height=225)
A base station where fast strike vehicles will dock.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KRY4Z7U5EVHPFKQ2GXX4XHBWT4.jpg?smart=true&auth=6bfde2ea0cac3bc26f071cd7800c9f72cfe7ed71fb8d6ba27695fbc606e297d8&width=400&height=225)
A fast strike vehicle.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TQPD4B3BOVE53LH3UBYLN2R7GY.jpg?smart=true&auth=06435ad80c97c85082a082d3ff92bf9011161b436bc7f81403948c6c0fb59d90&width=400&height=225)
The carrier vessel.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PQLGZDELCZFG5JAER2LPU3F4MA.jpg?smart=true&auth=b2b653b8966c04f0e291e4e2005311b7ce8c230bd80dac25ba681659a1eb7124&width=400&height=225)
The carrier vessel's unmanned craft.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4NXZGVQEAJA7VLXXYAVACRYF3M.jpg?smart=true&auth=fcfbae33d40c46167cff3b9e2f2b3d94c806398d1428baaff2b0a15e3fc37ef0&width=400&height=225)
Britain's underwater platform mothership, a minimally manned vessel with a brain coral outer skin. All photos: Royal Navy
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ATKQCNUUYVHADCJ2VE4MYWZN3U.jpg?smart=true&auth=4983f976008d5d48a8fed81eec588be2b2b997afc119a348133635157bd51c8b&width=400&height=225)
The underwater platform has 'hex blocks' - drones for underwater transport. They can be stowed away within the fold of the brain coral skin.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2N3TB7A4VRBQTJMPADKA3JL7N4.jpg?smart=true&auth=3a246ad9c3c7e4645e7256b3f0869824ca171ffbe2aea1e7c548fb40a92133dd&width=400&height=225)
An autonomous vessel with the underwater platform.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Q3XM6EGKOVCZRE7SLIKFEF3MZA.jpg?smart=true&auth=148f65b5776df17fd8028a8cb0080464be98adefa4a498ce87caa5f214f5dca7&width=400&height=225)
The navy's future fleet also includes a 'surface combatant mother ship'.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EW3N6GERZVHLJLD3WSNX7EDVHI.jpg?smart=true&auth=caed64fb6214adf2fa7a1caf493265072b01d809aa4ba82bf80d9060d2caa994&width=400&height=225)
A drone ship, which is stowed under the mother ship.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/W2VIBX65NZHNVOEFKMZF4UIQZY.jpg?smart=true&auth=3f557f90aa51905bfa47a156ae84feccbfd071fbe3262a143e7a66f13a92064a&width=400&height=225)
A base station where fast strike vehicles will dock.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KRY4Z7U5EVHPFKQ2GXX4XHBWT4.jpg?smart=true&auth=6bfde2ea0cac3bc26f071cd7800c9f72cfe7ed71fb8d6ba27695fbc606e297d8&width=400&height=225)
A fast strike vehicle.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TQPD4B3BOVE53LH3UBYLN2R7GY.jpg?smart=true&auth=06435ad80c97c85082a082d3ff92bf9011161b436bc7f81403948c6c0fb59d90&width=400&height=225)
The carrier vessel.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PQLGZDELCZFG5JAER2LPU3F4MA.jpg?smart=true&auth=b2b653b8966c04f0e291e4e2005311b7ce8c230bd80dac25ba681659a1eb7124&width=400&height=225)
The carrier vessel's unmanned craft.
UK Navy's futuristic plans include helium balloon attack craft and coral submarines
Drones to man the frontline for new-look force
![Thomas Harding](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F384edce7-d64f-494d-bcc0-406f934ad51d.png?smart=true&auth=8a909847700683429f8bc49fba9592513058d9a433fbdd0e6b812909d2e147c6&width=70&height=70)
Thomas Harding
13 September, 2021
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