For the first time, logistics UAVs will be integrated into a UK Carrier Strike Group operations, delivering stores between vessels when the task force leaves for the CSG25 deployment later this month.
In addition to the crewed aircraft group, HMS Prince of Wales will embark a small fleet of Malloy T-150 octo-copter UAVs. These will be tasked with transporting small loads, ranging from engineering components to parcels from home, between ships, freeing up helicopters for higher-priority duties such as anti-submarine and surface surveillance operations.
Nine T-150 drones will be operated by 700X Naval Air Squadron (NAS) from RNAS Culdrose. A 12-person detachment will join three ships in the task group to trial the system at sea. With a payload capacity of up to 68kg, a top speed of 60mph, and a flight endurance of 20–40 minutes, the drones are capable of covering short distances between units within the CSG
Historically, helicopters have been tasked with moving urgent stores between ships, even if the items were small or lightweight. According to 700X NAS, some 95% of stores transferred during previous carrier deployments weighed under 50kg—well within the drone’s lifting capability.
While drones have seen limited use in land-based roles, this will mark the first time they are employed at scale in a maritime environment by the RN. Operations will involve manual and autonomous control modes, including flights to pre-set waypoints with underslung cargo.
Developed by UK-based Malloy Aeronautics under an MoD innovation initiative, the T-150’s were only delivered in August last year. 700X NAS is responsible for integrating them into the aviation battlespace and developing procedures for use at sea, an effort that would traditionally have taken several years.
Operating drones from the confined spaces and dynamic conditions of a warship presents additional complexity. As part of the rapid induction process, aircrew have had to develop detailed documentation, airworthiness protocols, and support procedures for safe operation aboard ships.
As the RN seeks to normalise the use of uncrewed systems, 700X NAS continues to recruit and train sailors from across the service. Personnel from non-traditional aviation backgrounds are being retrained as qualified drone pilots. The deployment of the T-150 with the CSG marks another milestone in the RN’s effort to embrace un-crewed systems and modernise its logistics and operational support functions.
https://couriernews.co.uk/blog/royal-navy-to-integrate-logistics-drones/