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Helsing opens its first UK Resilience Factory in Plymouth to build AI-enabled submarine-hunters  Helsing

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The U.K. is developing a fleet of autonomous underwater drones that will utilize artificial intelligence to hunt for enemy submarines and vessels, with the defense technology company Helsing opening a new factory in Plymouth on Thursday.

The U.K. is developing a fleet of autonomous underwater drones that will utilize artificial intelligence to hunt for enemy submarines and vessels, with the defense technology company Helsing opening a new factory in Plymouth on Thursday.

In a press release, Helsing stated that the “Resilience Factory” will initially focus on producing the SG-1 Fathom, a 195 cm-long (6.3 feet) underwater glider that uses Lura AI to provide “real-time detection and classification” while on patrol.

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In a press release, Helsing stated that the “Resilience Factory” will initially focus on producing the SG-1 Fathom, a 195 cm-long (6.3 feet) underwater glider that uses Lura AI to provide “real-time detection and classification” while on patrol.

The factory is part of the company’s £350 million ($475 million) commitment to invest in the U.K. under the 2024 Trinity House agreement. The investment doubles the size of Helsing’s U.K. presence, with the Plymouth project expected to create “specialist high-value jobs” in the South West and beyond.

The factory is part of the company’s £350 million ($475 million) commitment to invest in the U.K. under the 2024 Trinity House agreement. The investment doubles the size of Helsing’s U.K. presence, with the Plymouth project expected to create “specialist high-value jobs” in the South West and beyond.

Helsing stated that Plymouth would become the company’s “Maritime Centre of Excellence” and announced that it will accompany the factory with a “new high-tech R&amp;D Hub” that will include “advanced manufacturing machines and software tools.”

Helsing stated that Plymouth would become the company’s “Maritime Centre of Excellence” and announced that it will accompany the factory with a “new high-tech R&D Hub” that will include “advanced manufacturing machines and software tools.”

The Royal Navy has recently experimented with drone technology, with the force testing a flotilla of seven Rattler autonomous boats off the coast of Scotland in an exercise involving HMS Tyne and HMS Stirling Castle, which “successfully” escorted the two vessels.

The Royal Navy has recently experimented with drone technology, with the force testing a flotilla of seven Rattler autonomous boats off the coast of Scotland in an exercise involving HMS Tyne and HMS Stirling Castle, which “successfully” escorted the two vessels.

Separately, the U.K. awarded MBDA a £316 million contract to equip the Royal Navy with DragonFire systems, a laser weapon that the navy tested to down fast-moving aerial drones. As part of the contract, MBDA will fit DragonFire to a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer by 2027.

Separately, the U.K. awarded MBDA a £316 million contract to equip the Royal Navy with DragonFire systems, a laser weapon that the navy tested to down fast-moving aerial drones. As part of the contract, MBDA will fit DragonFire to a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer by 2027.

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Britain has developed autonomous underwater drones called SG-1 Fathom that use artificial intelligence to hunt for enemy submarines and vessels, with the 195cm-long gliders capable of operating for up to three months at a time in swarms.

Britain has developed autonomous underwater drones called SG-1 Fathom that use artificial intelligence to hunt for enemy submarines and vessels, with the 195cm-long gliders capable of operating for up to three months at a time in swarms.

The Royal Navy successfully tested DragonFire laser weapons that destroyed drones traveling at speeds up to 650km/h, with the system costing only £10 per shot compared to traditional missiles that cost hundreds of thousands of pounds.

The Royal Navy successfully tested DragonFire laser weapons that destroyed drones traveling at speeds up to 650km/h, with the system costing only £10 per shot compared to traditional missiles that cost hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Defense Secretary John Healey revealed that Russian spy ship Yantar directed military-grade lasers at British RAF P-8 Poseidon aircraft monitoring its activities in UK waters north of Scotland, marking a dangerous escalation in tactics.

Defense Secretary John Healey revealed that Russian spy ship Yantar directed military-grade lasers at British RAF P-8 Poseidon aircraft monitoring its activities in UK waters north of Scotland, marking a dangerous escalation in tactics.

Helsing opened an 18,000-square-foot Resilience Factory in Plymouth to manufacture the SG-1 Fathom submarine hunters, creating hundreds of skilled jobs as part of the company's £350 million commitment to the UK announced in July.

Helsing opened an 18,000-square-foot Resilience Factory in Plymouth to manufacture the SG-1 Fathom submarine hunters, creating hundreds of skilled jobs as part of the company's £350 million commitment to the UK announced in July.

The Royal Navy conducted trials with five 7.2-meter Rattler autonomous boats that were remotely piloted from Portsmouth while operating 500 miles away off the Scottish coast, demonstrating swarm capabilities around HMS Tyne.

The Royal Navy conducted trials with five 7.2-meter Rattler autonomous boats that were remotely piloted from Portsmouth while operating 500 miles away off the Scottish coast, demonstrating swarm capabilities around HMS Tyne.

A £316 million contract was awarded to MBDA UK to install DragonFire laser systems on Royal Navy Type 45 destroyers by 2027, five years ahead of the original schedule, creating nearly 600 jobs across the UK.

A £316 million contract was awarded to MBDA UK to install DragonFire laser systems on Royal Navy Type 45 destroyers by 2027, five years ahead of the original schedule, creating nearly 600 jobs across the UK.

The UK's rush into seaborne drone warfare represents a dangerous escalation that threatens global security. While politicians celebrate these 'wolfpack' drones as innovation, they're actually fueling an arms race that makes the world less safe. This hypocrisy of promoting drone proliferation while simultaneously ramping up counter-drone systems shows how military leaders prioritize profit over peace.

The UK's rush into seaborne drone warfare represents a dangerous escalation that threatens global security. While politicians celebrate these 'wolfpack' drones as innovation, they're actually fueling an arms race that makes the world less safe. This hypocrisy of promoting drone proliferation while simultaneously ramping up counter-drone systems shows how military leaders prioritize profit over peace.

Britain's investment in autonomous maritime defense technology creates essential jobs while protecting national security against real threats. The new Plymouth drone factory demonstrates how defense innovation drives economic growth, generating hundreds of high-skilled manufacturing positions in communities that need them. These underwater gliders safeguard critical infrastructure and sea lanes from enemy submarines threatening Allied interests.

Britain's investment in autonomous maritime defense technology creates essential jobs while protecting national security against real threats. The new Plymouth drone factory demonstrates how defense innovation drives economic growth, generating hundreds of high-skilled manufacturing positions in communities that need them. These underwater gliders safeguard critical infrastructure and sea lanes from enemy submarines threatening Allied interests.

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The U.K.’s rush into seaborne drone warfare is a dangerous escalation that threatens global security. While politicians celebrate these ‘wolfpack’ drones as innovation, they are actually fueling an arms race that makes the world less safe. This cheerleading shows that military leaders and politicians will always prioritize profit over peace.

The U.K.’s rush into seaborne drone warfare is a dangerous escalation that threatens global security. While politicians celebrate these ‘wolfpack’ drones as innovation, they are actually fueling an arms race that makes the world less safe. This cheerleading shows that military leaders and politicians will always prioritize profit over peace.

Britain’s investment in autonomous maritime defense technology strengthens both national security and the economy. The new drone factory will generate economic growth and create hundreds of well-paid specialist jobs, while equipping the Royal Navy with the tools it needs to safeguard critical infrastructure and sea lanes from enemy vessels.

Britain’s investment in autonomous maritime defense technology strengthens both national security and the economy. The new drone factory will generate economic growth and create hundreds of well-paid specialist jobs, while equipping the Royal Navy with the tools it needs to safeguard critical infrastructure and sea lanes from enemy vessels.

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