In a historic first, the Royal Navy has executed a supply delivery between two of its units using a drone.The test featured a Malloy T-150, an octocopter capable of transporting up to 68 kg. It flew from the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales to the HMS destroyer Dauntless as part of the Carrier Strike Group 25 mission.

Drone Delivery: An Efficient Option

According to a press release on the official Royal navy website, the drone autonomously took off, covering just over a mile. The crew aboard the Dauntless then took control,piloting it to a safe landing on the flight deck. The trial aims to provide a more cost-effective and efficient solution compared to using helicopters or boats, freeing up resources for other operational duties.

“this is a essential goal for experimentation, the result of everyone’s work. I am proud of this first result for the Royal navy.”
– lieutenant Matt Parfitt

Lieutenant Matt Parfitt, commander of the 700x Naval Air Squadron, stated: “This is a fundamental goal for experimentation, the result of everyone’s work. I am proud of this first result for the Royal Navy and I can’t wait to continue wiht the next developments during the mission.”

Towards a Hybrid Air Wing

This initiative aligns with the British Navy’s plans to equip its Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers with a Hybrid Air Wing, incorporating advanced drones alongside jets and long-range weaponry. Captain Colin McGannity explained: “This step in the Malloy tests is part of the vision of a entirely integrated aerial wing. By lightening the logistical load, the drones will allow helicopters to focus on their main tasks, guaranteeing rapid and efficient supplies to the whole naval group.”

Malloy T-150: A British Drone with Global ambitions

The Malloy T-150, manufactured by Malloy Aeronautics (acquired by Bae Systems in 2024), is an eight-rotor drone capable of speeds up to 96 km/h. operated remotely by a two-person crew, it has already completed nearly 150 sorties and over 20 hours of flight time during Operation Highmast.

According to the Minister of the Armed Forces Luke Pollard: “The Royal Navy is guiding the future of hybrid aerial wings. Hugging the autonomy is crucial for our way of operating, and this result shows how the armed forces can collaborate with the national industry to bring innovation and cutting -edge capacity to the sea.”

With this successful autonomous delivery, the Royal Navy takes a important step towards a future where drones are integral to naval operations, showcasing how technology and innovation can reshape maritime operations and logistics.