The United Kingdom's Ministry of Defense has announced the launch of the COOKSON project. Announced on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, the project is a key element of the UK-Norway-led Maritime Capability Coalition and underscores the UK’s commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s maritime defences amid escalating tensions in the Black Sea.
To refine the concept, the MoD will host a Challenge Session on January 22, 2025, in London, inviting industry experts from NATO, Ukraine, and Five-Eyes countries.
According to the MOD, “If you have expertise in vessels, vessel launcher systems, surface-surface effectors, counter air effectors, marinised GNSS hardened navigation, sensors, integrators, autonomous systems, or beyond-line-of-sight communications, this session might be of interest to you”, writes UK Defence Journal.
This program envisions the creation of a next-generation maritime platform designed to perform a wide range of operations in coastal waters, including targeting both land-based and surface enemy objectives with long-range missiles.
The core idea behind the COOKSON project is to create a compact and highly efficient unmanned boat that can operate in environments with active opposition, including electronic warfare (EW). According to the project’s outlined specifications, the boat will be able to reach speeds of up to 40 knots, making it exceptionally maneuverable for strike missions.
With a range of up to 800 nautical miles, the boat can cover vast areas, while its 72-hour patrol time ensures prolonged operational presence in mission areas.
The boat will be equipped with at least two missiles capable of launching from distances ranging between 30 and 100 kilometers, making it an ideal tool for precision strikes against enemy targets.
Additional armament, including heavy machine guns or surface-to-air missile systems (SAMs), will provide protection against aerial threats such as drones or low-flying enemy aircraft and helicopters. The compact size of the platform will also allow it to remain discreet and operate in limited water areas without being detected.
The MOD described the system as follows: "A COOKSON system consists of a small, fast, vessel with low observability, with >2 one-way effectors mounted on it, including relevant launch system and support equipment. A COOKSON system should be able to travel to Ukraine via Ground Lines of Communication (GLOC) [and] must fit onto a 40 foot flatbed, ideally a 20 foot flatbed.”
The project aims to roll out the first prototypes by early 2026. Following this, serial production will commence, with a manufacturing capacity of two to three boats per month. The plan also includes the production of at least 20 missiles monthly, ensuring a steady supply of equipment for both new and existing platforms.
The technology behind the COOKSON project is based on modern navigation systems that enable the boat to operate autonomously. These include satellite navigation, radar systems, and artificial intelligence tools capable of analyzing the situation and making real-time decisions. Resilience to enemy EW is achieved through encrypted communication channels and backup control systems.
The future of the COOKSON project holds significant promise. In addition to its primary strike function, the boat can be used for reconnaissance, mine laying, convoy protection, and humanitarian missions. The development of such platforms aligns with the global trend toward increasing interest in autonomous maritime systems, which offer high efficiency with minimal human involvement.
Industry participants must register by 16 January 2025 to attend the session, with attendance limited to one representative per company
