US torpedo test-fired from UK sea drone for first time as part of AUKUS

LONDON:The UK has conducted the country's first-ever launch of a heavy-weight torpedo from an uncrewed underwater vehicle, *The i Paper* reported.

The trials took place last week with the participation of specialists from the US. The newspaper noted that this marks the first time either nation has launched a torpedo from an uncrewed drone rather than a traditional crewed submarine.

The launch utilized the Excalibur, a 12-meter underwater drone capable of traveling up to 1,852 km and remaining submerged for up to five days. The torpedo was developed under AUKUS, a partnership between the UK, the US, and Australia.