In a first, British unmanned sub launches US heavyweight torpedo; why it matters

The Royal Navy’s 19-tonne XV Excalibur unmanned underwater vehicle has successfully launched a US-made Mk 48 heavyweight torpedo in a first-of-its-kind test.The US navy and Royal navy conducted the joint test on September 13 at the British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre in Scotland under AUKUS Pillar 2.According to the US Navy, the trial was carried out under Project Broadsword and Trial Iron and was aimed at demonstrating whether a US heavyweight torpedo could be integrated with and launched from a British autonomous underwater platform.The test validated the mechanical, electrical and software integration between the weapon and Excalibur, which the Navy said demonstrated the ability of allied forces to achieve rapid weapon interchangeability.US chief of naval operations Admiral Daryl Caudle called it a “historic first for allied undersea warfare”, saying the successful launch demonstrated the allies' ability to integrate weapons and autonomous platforms.XV Excalibur and Mk 48 heavyweight torpedoThe XV…