Nick Childs

Senior Fellow for Naval Forces and Maritime Security The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)

Nick joined the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in June 2015 as Senior Fellow for Naval Forces and Maritime Security, responsible for the Institute’s analysis in these areas. He covers the range of issues in the maritime domain from strategy to technology and capability development. Nick’s specialist areas of interest are US Navy developments; NATO, European, Russian and Chinese naval capabilities; and maritime developments in the Euro-Atlantic, Middle East, South Asia, and the Asia-Pacific regions. He also has a particular interest and expertise in aircraft carrier and maritime aviation developments. Before joining the Institute, Nick was a BBC journalist for more than 30 years, specialising in covering defence, security and international affairs. His last appointment was as a BBC World Affairs Correspondent. He was also the BBC's first Pentagon Correspondent. Other main assignments included Defence & Security Correspondent and Political Correspondent. He reported on most recent conflicts and crises in the Middle East including Iraq, as well as those in the Balkans, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and elsewhere. Nick has written two books on the modern Royal Navy, as well as numerous articles and commentaries in defence-related, international affairs and naval journals. He read Modern History and Economics at St Catherine's College, Oxford.

Conference Day 1: Tuesday, 15 July 2025

2:00 PM PANEL DISCUSSION: OPERATIONALISING UNCREWED SYSTEMS IN THE MARITIME BATTLESPACE

Uncrewed systems are playing an increasingly central role in naval operations, particularly in Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Mine Warfare, and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR). This panel will explore how heterogeneous teams of crewed and uncrewed platforms are being deployed in complex maritime environments, and what is required to ensure their effective integration. Key areas of focus include autonomy, command and control, resilience, and capability development.

 

Discussion Questions:

  • What are the most promising operational scenarios for employing mixed teams of crewed and uncrewed systems in ASW, Mine Warfare, and ISR?
  • How can swarming behaviours be effectively coordinated and controlled in contested maritime environments?
  • In what ways do uncrewed systems enhance situational awareness and support maritime picture management for effective command and control?
  • How can navies ensure secure and resilient Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) in GPS-contested or denied environments?
  • What role does test and evaluation play in validating uncrewed systems, supporting integration, and accelerating capability development?
  • How do we operationalise interoperability with partners and allies for complex maritime environments including heterogeneous teams of crewed and uncrewed platforms?

 

Check out the incredible speaker line-up to see who will be joining Nick.

Download The Latest Agenda