Heads of U.S., U.K. navies sign agreement to cooperatively advance warfighting technologies

The heads of the U.S. and U.K. navies have signed a "statement of intent" about "future integrated warfighting," according to a Oct. 21 Navy press release.

"The [Royal Navy] and USN are closely aligned on the challenges we face, and the purposes of this statement of intent is to articulate the participants' mutual desire to collaborate closely to achieve our goals," according to the document.

The statement outlines several specific capabilities such as autonomy, command and control, integrated fires and artificial intelligence.

The forthcoming agreement was briefly mentioned by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday and Royal Navy chief Adm. Tony Radakin earlier this week during an event hosted aboard the British aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth (R08).

Also during that event, Navy acquisition executive Hondo Geurts announced a similar joint effort including a new "tech bridge" to be established in London.