Royal Navy warships and Royal Marines operating behind enemy lines will now be supported from the air by two cutting-edge drone systems declared ready for front-line operations.
After two years of rigorous trials and development, including work alongside operational partners, the Malloy T-150 Uncrewed Air System (UAS) has entered service to deliver ammunition, weapons, food, medical supplies and other vital stores directly to Royal Marines Commandos in the field.
At the same time, the Peregrine rotary-wing mini helicopter has been formally brought into service, providing Royal Navy warships with advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
Tested Around the World
Royal Marines and drone specialists from 700X Naval Air Squadron and Commando Logistic Regiment have trialled the Malloy T-150 in some of the toughest environments on earth – from the Arctic to the Indian Ocean – over the past eight months. The systems have now been declared ready to Release to Service, meaning they are cleared for operational deployment.
Lt Cdr Fraser Simon. UK MOD © Crown copyright
The Malloy platform has demonstrated the ability to deliver critical supplies quickly and reliably where traditional methods are not possible. With eight rotor blades, each around two feet long, a 40-minute endurance, speeds of up to 60mph, and a payload capacity of 68kg, the T-150 is a powerful and versatile asset. Operated by a two-person team, it can fly manually or autonomously to designated waypoints with underslung cargo.
Brigadier Chris Haw, Head of the Commando Forces Programme, said:
*“The UK Commando Force continues to be at the vanguard of operational change in embedding digital and autonomous systems into the way we fight.
“The introduction of logistic drones represents a significant expansion in the Commando Force’s use of Uncrewed Aerial Systems, beyond those already in-service for surveillance/reconnaissance, and importantly reduces the risk to personnel during tactical re-supply.
“Tested in operationally representative conditions, and developed in close collaboration with Malloy, the equipment and operators have made considerable progress. The T-150 has great potential for broader use-cases as we have recently seen in operational theatres and on the Carrier Strike deployment.”*
Industry Partnership
Neil Appleton, CEO of Malloy Aeronautics, hailed the achievement:
“The UK Release to Service of our T-150 platform is a milestone we’re incredibly proud to be a part of.
“As a multi-role UAS, the T-150 can be used for Replenishment at Sea one day and resupplying deployed Royal Marines Commandos the next.
“It’s a game-changer for the modern battlefield and we are proud to deliver this capability to those who need it most.
“We’ve partnered with the UK Armed Forces throughout this programme, from the Royal Marines Commando Force to wider Ministry of Defence organisations to deliver this capability at pace, including training and in service support.
“We welcome this further strengthening of our partnership with the UK armed forces and remain committed to expanding the capability of our multi-role solutions for the UK.”
The Malloy T-150 is also being trialled with the UK Carrier Strike Group in the Indo-Pacific. In a recent historic first, it delivered supplies from aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales to destroyer HMS Dauntless.
Peregrine Enhances Naval Aviation
Alongside logistics support, Peregrine is set to transform naval aviation. Developed in partnership with Thales and Schiebel, the system gives the Fleet enhanced awareness and reach, operating from the decks of Royal Navy warships.
Already tested successfully on counter-narcotics missions in the Gulf, Peregrine carries the advanced Thales IMaster radar, enabling world-class, all-weather, day-and-night surveillance, tracking, and target identification.
Marie Gayrel, Thales Vice-President Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, said:
“As Thales, along with Schiebel, we are proud to partner with the Royal Navy in delivering the Peregrine capability. Its operational success aboard HMS Lancaster demonstrates the potential of rotary wing uncrewed air systems to transform maritime operations.
“This milestone highlights our shared commitment to innovation, safety and delivering critical capability to the Fleet, fully aligned with the Royal Navy’s transformation agenda.”
Captain Dave Gillett, Head of Navy Develop’s Maritime Aviation & Carrier Strike, added:
“The introduction of Peregrine into service is a game-changer for our surface fleet. Its successful deployment with HMS Lancaster shows how uncrewed systems can deliver real operational advantage, extending our surveillance reach and enhancing our decision-making in theatre.
“With the integration of the IMaster radar, Peregrine provides exceptional surveillance capability and is a vital step for wider Maritime Aviation Transformation, ensuring the Royal Navy remains at the forefront of innovation in naval aviation.”
A Modern Navy for the Future
With both the Malloy T-150 and Peregrine entering front-line service, the Royal Navy continues to prove itself a leader in innovation, ensuring that Britain’s sailors and Marines remain equipped with world-class capabilities to fight and win in the modern battlespace.
Read more here: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2025/september/11/20250911-double-drone-announcement-royal-navy
