Royal Navy first as strike-capable drone launched from deck of experimental ship

The Royal Navy has launched a strike-capable drone from a ship at sea for the first time. 

Off the Dorset coast, sailors, alongside British Army personnel, launched the Nyan One Way Effector – a low-cost, long-range kamikaze drone – from the deck of the experimental ship XV Patrick Blackett.

Manufactured by BAE Systems, the deep-strike loitering munition enhances the capabilities of forward-deployed land forces and, as the latest demonstration showed, naval forces as well.

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Battled-tested

The trials form part of Project Vantage, a tri-service exercise supporting the Royal Navy's move towards a hybrid force that combines uncrewed systems with traditionally crewed warships and units.

The drone and launcher were previously used by the British Army during Exercise Spring Storm in Estonia, in support of Nato allies.

In the most recent instance, the drone was launched from a launcher mounted on the deck of Patrick Blackett by personnel from 26 Royal Artillery and 744 Naval Air Squadron, and was pre-programmed to fly to a designated target.

The trial forms part of the recently unveiled Defence Investment Plan, which commits £5 billion to transforming drone capabilities across the Armed Forces.

£650m of that will deliver expendable autonomous systems, including drones and uncrewed ground vehicles. 

Significant step forward 

Defence Readiness and Industry Minister Luke Pollard said Britain is "serious" about the transition to a Hybrid Navy, with new, more powerful drones at the heart of the Royal Navy's future capability.

"By bringing together Army and Navy expertise to field strike drones from a ship at sea, we are accelerating the capabilities our forces need to stay ahead of our adversaries," he said.

Meanwhile Lieutenant Commander David Burton, Maritime One Way Effectors capability sponsor, added: "This trial makes a significant step forward in delivering Maritime One-Way Effectors at pace.

"Under Project Vantage we are planning to integrate these capabilities into the Hybrid Navy, combining crewed platforms with uncrewed systems to expand reach, increase tempo and enhance lethality.

"Working closely with our Army colleagues, this activity demonstrates how we are accelerating Atlantic Strike concepts into practical, deployable capabilities of the Fleet."