The UK’s newest aircraft carrier is letting small drones take over some missions once done by helicopters
The HMS Prince of Wales is equipped with what the Royal Navy calls a "state-of-the-art" air wing of fighter jets, helicopters, and drones.
The UK's latest aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, is utilizing small drones for various tasks that were previously performed by helicopters. The Royal Navy's flight deck officer stated that these drones, made by British company Malloy Aeronautics, can carry up to 150 pounds and are used for logistics and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance purposes.
They are launched from a designated area on the flight deck called the "graveyard," situated next to the ski-jump ramp where fighter jets take off. The officer emphasized that while the drones will not completely replace crewed aircraft for these missions, their use will become more prominent over time. The $4 billion HMS Prince of Wales was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 2019, and the use of Malloy T-150 quadcopters for supply deliveries from the aircraft carrier to a nearby warship began in 2025.
The drones' trial was aimed at finding a cheap and efficient alternative to helicopter and boat deliveries. The Royal Navy is also testing other uncrewed systems, such as a strike drone launched from the HMS Queen Elizabeth's flight deck in the North Atlantic, marking a step towards a hybrid carrier air wing concept.
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