The U.K. Royal Navy will begin deploying drones for ship-to-ship logistics in an active Carrier Strike Group mission for the first time. The uncrewed air cargo drones — nine Malloy T-150s — will be part of the air group of the HMS Prince of Wales, which will set sail to the Indo-Pacific on April 22. They will help move supplies such as food, mail and engineering parts between vessels.
Operated by the 700X Naval Air Squadron, the T-150 drones are expected to offload routine transport duties from the more costly helicopters, freeing the latter to focus on force protection during the mission. A team of 12 sailors from Royal Navy Air Station Culdrose will manage the fleet across three ships.
Malloy Aeronautics manufactured the T-150 through a Ministry of Defence research program. Each unit features eight two-foot-long rotors, a top speed of 60 miles per hour and a lifting capacity of up to 68 kilograms. They can fly autonomously or under remote control, carrying underslung cargo for up to 40 minutes per flight.
“In the past, we’d have used a helicopter if a part was urgently needed on another ship,” said 700x NAS Drone Flight Commander Lt. Matt Parfitt. “This time we’re going to use a remotely piloted, uncrewed system instead. We are aware that we’re trialing new things and, because it’s not been done before on this scale, the eyes of the fleet will be on us.”
Parfitt noted that most items transferred during past deployments weighed under 50 kg, well within the drone’s capacity. He also emphasized the rapid learning curve his squadron underwent. The sailors have focused on training, maintenance and integration with existing aviation operations since receiving the Malloy drones last year.
In February 2024, the British government unveiled the Defence Drone Strategy, pledging $5.71 billion over the next decade to accelerate drone experimentation, testing and fielding for the Royal Navy, Army and Air Force. Months later, officials said work is underway to fund and deliver new unmanned capabilities for the British Army by 2025.