U.S., Australian, British, and Japanese defense officials converged on Australia’s Jervis Bay this week for a weeklong experiment to test how to integrate new, developmental tech from different countries in order to speed up intelligence and reconnaissance data transmission at sea. The results showed significant improvement in data transmission speed and efficiency.

The experiment, called Maritime Big Play, is part of the AUKUS partnership between the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. AUKUS focuses on co-development of nuclear-powered submarines and emerging technologies like autonomous drones.

Progress on AUKUS pillar II involves integrating new technologies into existing defense systems, such as the Sting Ray lightweight torpedo and the P-8A maritime patrol aircraft. This integration enhances undersea warfare capabilities and increases interoperability among AUKUS nations.

The experimentation in Jervis Bay showcased new drone technologies and systems from across the alliance, highlighting advancements in intelligence collection and dissemination. The focus was on developing specific tactics and procedures to facilitate faster data and intelligence sharing.

Japanese officials attended the briefings, signaling potential closer collaboration with Japan in these areas. The integration of autonomous capabilities is seen as crucial for the navies’ future success, with the experiment serving as a platform to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies among AUKUS partners.