UK moves forward with Project Beehive, plans 20 new uncrewed surface vessels

March 11, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

The Royal Navy is set to acquire a fleet of 20 uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) under Project Beehive, a program designed to accelerate the development and testing of autonomous maritime technologies.

According to procurement information published by the UK Ministry of Defense, the contract is to be awarded to Kraken Works with a value of £10.25 million excluding VAT (£12.3 million including VAT).

The contract award decision was made on March 5, 2026, following a competitive process in which 12 tenders were submitted and assessed in the final stage.

The procurement is currently within a standstill period ending on March 20, 2026, with the earliest expected contract signature on March 23, 2026. Work is scheduled to run from March 23, 2026, to March 31, 2027.

The project’s activities are expected to focus largely on the south and south-west regions of the United Kingdom, where development, testing and integration work will be carried out.

Project Beehive is intended to form part of the Royal Navy’s transition toward a ‘Hybrid Navy’, integrating crewed ships with autonomous and remotely operated platforms.

The vessels will support the Royal Navy’s Surface Flotilla (SURFLOT) and will be used for training, tactics development, warfare development, capability development, and operational activities within the UK area of responsibility and beyond.

The USVs will initially be delivered at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4–5, meaning they will function as developmental platforms rather than fully mature operational systems. Designed with open architecture, the vessels will allow the integration of new technologies over time through a spiral development approach, enabling the navy to continuously upgrade and experiment with emerging capabilities.

Officials say the fleet will act as testbeds for disruptive technologies, supporting experimentation led by the Navy’s development and innovation teams while generating operational lessons that could shape future unmanned maritime systems.

Once delivered, the fleet is expected to play a key role in helping the Royal Navy refine concepts for operating autonomous vessels alongside traditional warships as part of its future maritime force structure.