A concept of Babcock missile launchers fitted to an Acua Ocean uncrewed surface vessel. (Frankenburg Technologies)
Babcock, SMEs to develop new counter-drone system
The system will pair precision-guided missiles and launchers with uncrewed systems.
31 JUL 2026
By
Tom
Barlow-Brown
Defence Journalist, DSEI Gateway
UK-based SME Acua Ocean has joined an existing collaboration between Babcock and Estonia-based SME Frankenburg Technologies to develop a counter-drone system for maritime defence in the UK.
According to an announcement by Babcock on 20 July, the expanded partnership will integrate Acua Ocean’s uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) with Babcock’s multi-domain launcher system and Frankenburg’s precision-guided missiles.
The existing collaboration between Babcock and Frankenburg, agreed in January 2026, set out to develop a “containerised platform” for launching Frankenburg’s missiles to defend against one-way attack drones.
Acua Ocean’s USV
“To counter mass drone attacks, maritime air defence must be uninterrupted, yet rough weather often forces traditional systems out of limits,” Neil Tinmouth, CEO of Acua Ocean, said.
He added that the “stability” of Acua Ocean’s Pioneer-class USV is designed to keep counter-drone payloads operational in high seas.
Babcock highlights that, in June, Acua Ocean’s USV "operated continuously for 16-20 nautical miles offshore, completing more than 100 hours at sea" without hands-on intervention.
The new system is also intended to support the UK's plans for a hybrid navy of crewed and uncrewed vessels, Babcock says.
Tom
Barlow-Brown
Defence Journalist, DSEI Gateway
Tom Barlow-Brown is a Defence Journalist for DSEI Gateway. Previously he worked as a reporter in the maritime sector covering developments in energy and tech.