NPL and partners launch Maritime Autonomy sensor test range

4 minute read

NPL ,in partnership with the Ministry of Defence, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the Met Office, Team Plymouth and the University of Plymouth, has announced the launch of the first stage of its dedicated Maritime Autonomy sensor and weather test range in Plymouth Sound. Located on the Breakwater Fort, this milestone marks a significant step forward for the Maritime Autonomy Assurance Testbed (MAAT) programme and Plymouth’s development as the UK’s National Centre for Marine Autonomy.

The MAAT programme aims to deliver an assurance framework that reduces barriers to the adoption of maritime autonomous systems (MAS), both for defence and commercial purposes. A key component of the framework is standardised and accessible test and evaluation to objectively demonstrate the capabilities and performance boundaries of MAS.  The new test range will support the UK’s maritime autonomy ambitions by: 

1. Providing traceable quantification of sensors performance in UK coastal conditions, understanding how this will affect the ability to detect objects and make correct navigational decisions.
2. Utilising ground truth data to improve the accuracy of simulation models   critical for verifying and validating complex autonomous systems.
3. Generating a real time digital twin of Plymouth Sound, expanding testing environments for uncrewed systems and improving the quality of trial outputs. 

Future phases will see the expansion of further test nodes across a wider water space, to complement that deployed on the fort, as well as in the sub surface domain.  This will deliver a significant capability uplift in Plymouth and the UK to support on water trials and testing for uncrewed systems.

The Ministry of Defence and the team at Devonport Naval Base have been instrumental in enabling the use of the Breakwater Fort for the first test node.  Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the University of Plymouth have provided the technical and operational expertise on the installation and connectivity of the test nodes and supporting on water data gathering infrastructure. 

Richard Dudley, Principal Scientist, NPL said: “Acquiring and creating a real-time digital twin for Plymouth maritime traffic is a huge metrology challenge and we are excited to be a step closer to assuring remotely operated and autonomous vessels in the Sound.”

The Met Office are providing the data capture infrastructure and analytical expertise for the MetOcean elements. Met Office Observations R&D Strategic Science Lead Dave Jones said: "Understanding the local weather and ocean environment is essential for the safe and reliable operation of autonomous marine systems. By contributing our expertise in ocean and weather data and analysis to the MAAT programme, we’re helping to create a well-characterised testing environment where new technologies can be evaluated with confidence."

This national approach to maritime autonomy assurance supports both industrial ambition and government priorities, enabling: faster, safer deployment of autonomous systems; reduced barriers to investment and innovation; accelerated development cycles for companies of all sizes; improved procurement processes for defence; support for the skills pipeline needed to grow the future workforce.

Karen Dalton Fyfe, MOD Partnerships and Programme Director for Team Plymouth said: “The launch of this test range is a landmark moment for Plymouth and the UK’s maritime autonomy ambitions. It demonstrates the power of collaboration between national and local partners to deliver world-class innovation and capability. By anchoring this programme in Plymouth Sound, we are not only advancing technology but also strengthening the region’s role as the UK’s National Centre for Marine Autonomy, creating opportunities for industry and future skills development.”

Find out more about our work in MAAT programme

02 Feb 2026