A leading-edge British firm has joined forces with the Royal Navy to fly a pilotless plane on and off HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier for the first time.
The W Autonomous Systems (WAS) drone made the trip from the Lizard Peninsula and on to the deck of HMS Prince of Wales off the Cornish coast, delivered supplies, then flew back in a milestone flight which points the way to the future of naval aviation.
The Royal Navy joined forces with W Autonomous Systems, a leading-edge British firm which is developing long-range, heavy-lift autonomous drones for defence.
The drones incorporate a ground-breaking autopilot system, eliminating the need to be controlled remotely by trained pilots, and are designed to operate in the most challenging environments.
It’s a vital step along the way to operating crewless aircraft safely alongside the F-35 Lightning jets and the naval Merlin and Wildcat helicopters that are currently the backbone of the Fleet Air Arm.
The goal is to deploy drones with a UK Carrier Strike Group in the future, using them to transfer stores and supplies – such as mail or spare parts – between ships, without the need to launch helicopters.
Drones are cheaper to operate, eliminate any potential risk to aircrew – such as in bad weather – and keep the hi-tech Merlins and Wildcats free for operational sorties, such as hunting hostile submarines or surface vessels that are threats to the carrier strike group.
Captain Richard Hewitt, Commanding Officer HMS Prince of Wales said:
“HMS Prince of Wales is a fifth-generation aircraft carrier and operating autonomous drones like this will become the norm across future Royal Navy Carrier Strike Groups in our 50-year lifespan.
“We are all proud here in HMS Prince of Wales to achieve this – a fantastic milestone for all involved and the first of many firsts on this deployment to shape the future of Royal Naval Carrier Strike innovation as we prepare for our strike group deployment in 2025.”
Lieutenant Ash Loftus, leading the trials for the Royal Navy on board HMS Prince of Wales added:
“Today’s demonstration is the culmination of 18 months of hard work from dozens of people across the Royal Navy and W Autonomous Systems. Carrier aviation is amongst the most difficult aspects of naval warfare and this success is testament to their efforts.”
Stephen Wright, executive chairman and founder of W Autonomous Systems, said:
“This landing demonstrates the agility of our autonomous drone. We are hugely proud to deliver this ground-breaking trial for the Royal Navy and showcase the future of aviation.”
Charles Scales, Co-Founder of W Autonomous Systems, added:
“Landing on a moving naval carrier was the ultimate test and our autonomous heavy-lift HCMC drone passed with flying colours.”
The trials off Cornwall were the first stage of an autumn programme pushing the boundaries of naval aviation for Britain’s biggest warship.
Photos: MOD Crown Copyright News / Editorial Licence.
