The Royal Navy's top commander says seaborne drones will soon replace sailors on minesweeping and anti-terror missions as they become 'critical' to naval warfare.

Peter Pipkin, the navy's most senior technology officer, said work being done on unmanned and autonomous craft was 'some of the most exciting stuff the navy has done for some time'.

Mr Pipkin made the predictions to The Times at a preview for the Unmanned Warrior, a demonstration for seaborne drones off the Scottish coast in October.

The world's first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of landing autonomously on a moving ship is among those being tested at a trial event in October (it is pictured in the test phases)

Another technology on show will be the Sonobuoy, which can be deployed en masse to search for enemy submarines (pictured)

Around 40 research and development companies from around the world will test their latest developments in an operational setting - which will include anti-submarine warfare, surveillance and reconnaissance tests - near then Outer Hebrides.

The machines will then compete in their own version of 'robot wars' to demonstrate how they could revolutionise the military's maritime future.

The event will provide a glimpse into the innovation now embedded in the navy's approach and how new technology could be paving the way for drone ships as part of everyday missions.

Peter Pipkin (pictured), the navy's most senior technology officer, said work being done on unmanned and autonomous craft was 'some of the most exciting stuff the navy has done for some time'

At the show, one company will be trialling the world's first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which is capable of landing autonomously on a moving ship.

Roke Manor Research (Roke) has developed a technology called 'Autoland' which uses cameras and modelling so that a UAV can self-land without the need for human assistance.

Another technology on show will be the Sonobuoy, which can be deployed en masse to search for enemy submarines.

The Sensor Hosting Autonomous Remote Craft (Sharc) and AutoNaut drone will also be tested for their submarine-hunting skills.

The Sharc, which has an array of sensors and devices, is designed to travel thousands of miles out at sea without a single crew member on board.

The technology - which is completely silent - is propelled by ocean waves and has no energy restrictions, meaning it last on missions for up to a year.

On show will also be The ATLAS Remote Combined Influence Minesweeping System, an unmanned boat which launches minedetecting drones into the sea.

Over the past few years, several drones have been tested by both the Royal Navy and on the other side of the Atlantic.

In May last year, a 3D printed drone was launched from the gun deck of the Royal Navy's HMS Mersey before landing safely on a beach in Dorset.

The unmanned aircraft, which weighs 3kg (6.6lbs) and has a wingspan of 1.5 metres (4.9ft), flew autonomously for five minutes along a pre-programmed route.

On show will also be The ATLAS Remote Combined Influence Minesweeping System (pictured), an unmanned boat which launches minedetecting drones into the sea and reels them back in if they find a foreign object

Last year, a 3D printed unmanned drone was launched from the desk of a Royal Navy warship HMS Mersey while at sea (pictured) before landing safely on a beach

In March this year, the US Navy tested a radical 'drone boat' that will automatically scour the seas for enemy submarines for months at a time.

The Navy hopes the 'sea hunter' will end the growing threat of quiet, diesel powered enemy submarines entering American waters undetected.

Countries from Europe to Asia have been looking into developing fleets of unmanned ships to cut down on operating costs but the idea has sparked debate over whether it's possible to make robotic boats safe enough to run on their own far from land.