Maritime Big Play
US-UK-Australian uncrewed-systems exercise held off San Diego in 2026.
Last refreshed: 8 November 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Timeline for Maritime Big Play
Hosted the UK-led anti-submarine warfare strand
Autonomous Systems: Land & Sea: UK to lead three AUKUS undersea payloadsMentioned in: Australia puts sea mines in Ghost Shark
Autonomous Systems: Land & SeaBackground
Britain led the anti-submarine warfare strand of Maritime Big Play off San Diego in October 2026, fielding thirteen uncrewed surface vessels, two anti-submarine warfare targets and four underwater gliders.
Maritime Big Play is an exercise that tests new maritime technology in realistic settings with Australian, UK and US crewed and uncrewed systems. The 2026 Pacific series ran strands on anti-submarine warfare, lethality, contested resupply, and subsea and seabed warfare. UK Defence Innovation-funded SEA Ltd and DAS Ltd demonstrated underwater-communications planning and fleet task-allocation software.
The UK Ministry of Defence presented the exercise as part of AUKUS Pillar II work, alongside the three UK-led payloads due from 2027.
What is Maritime Big Play?
What did Britain bring to Maritime Big Play in 2026?
Which UK companies demonstrated at Maritime Big Play?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 8 November 2026. Editorial standards.