Ferocious sea strike drone launched from Royal Navy experimental ship as footage shows it in air

A deadly sea drone has been launched for the first time from a Royal Navy experimental ship.

The Nyan One Way Effector was fired from the Portsmouth-based vessel XV Patrick Blackett during trials on the south coast. It was the first time such a strike-capable weapon was launched from a ship at sea.

Minister for defence readiness and industry, Luke Pollard, said: “Britain is serious about the transition to a Hybrid Navy with new, powerful drones at the heart of the Royal Navy. 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.”

Already tested extensively during land exercises, the autonomous drone was taken to sea to explore how it could be operated from a ship. Pre-programmed to fly to a specific target, the system was flown from a launcher installed on the ship’s deck. Army personnel joined their Royal Navy counterparts for the test.

The drone and launcher combination were used by the Army recently in Estonia during Exercise Spring Storm to support NATO allies in a series of real-life scenarios. The trials are part of the tri-service Project Vantage to rapidly test and deliver Maritime One-Way Effectors.

Sailors in the Royal Navy are having to get to grips with the force becoming hybrid, where autonomous equipment is used alongside conventional warships. A total of £5bn has been allocated for drones in the Defence Investment Plan.

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Personnel from 26 Royal Artillery and 744 Naval Air Squadron worked alongside the ship’s company of Patrick Blackett to deliver the trials. The team successfully launched and flew the drone while the ship was underway, setting the conditions for further experimentation and potential future deployment across the fleet.

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.”