Response: The RN is exploring opportunities to fund this important enabler. The Department can reassure the Committee that capabilities such as Naval Strike Network (NSN) will be fully compliant with Defence’s digital backbone and the principles of ‘Multi Domain Integration’. The RN is utilising research and development funding to refine the NSN requirement which has delivered a series of experimentation exercises, including NATO’s Maritime Unmanned Systems Initiative. These experiments have examined how uncrewed vehicles can be integrated with conventional forces.