Canadian Navy: Hammerhead USV hits target in first live explosive test

July 17, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

The Royal Canadian Navy has armed and deployed an uncrewed Hammerhead maritime system with explosives during exercise Trident Fury 2025.

Launched from HMCS Vancouver and guided via satellite link, the Hammerhead uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) successfully struck a target vessel, another Hammerhead.

HMCS Vancouver is the second Halifax-class frigate commissioned in August 1993. The test represents a major advancement in uncrewed maritime operations, according to the navy.

“Led by our Advanced Naval Capabilities Unit (ANC), in collaboration with the Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) and HMCS Vancouver, this operation showcases how bottom-up innovation and cross-unit collaboration are preparing us for the future,” the navy stated.

In order to boost uncrewed systems capabilities, Canada created the Advanced Naval Capabilities Unit (ANC). Occupying the space between conventional and advanced warfare, the ANC Unit designs and delivers tactically capable teams in maritime interdiction operations (MIO), force protection and harbour defense, the operation of uncrewed air, surface, and subsurface systems, and more.

QinetiQ, a UK-based defense tech company, developed Hammerhead USV. The system is designed to simulate a fast inshore attack craft (FIAC) in a multi-vehicle swarm of up to 40 vehicles. With high manoeuvrability, the USV can simulate straight-on high-speed attacks, crossing patterns, zig-zag patterns, and other evasive manoeuvres.