Royal Navy tests heavy-lift drones for front-line operations

The Royal Navy’s 700X Naval Air Squadron has completed intensive testing of heavy-lift drones in different environments with the goal of using the tech on front-line operations.

It is the second time the heavy-lift drones have been trialed. Last year, the Royal navy demonstrated how they could be utilized in various operations. Now, the navy’s drone experts 700X Naval Air Squadron have invited industry partners to their home base of RNAS Culdrose to test the two crewless aircraft through their paces.

The latest series of trials was more intense and included the Malloy Aeronautics T-600 quadcopter and Windracers Autonomous Systems’ Ultra drone. As a part of the Heavy Lift Challenge, both Malloy and Windracers were given a £300,000 contract to further develop their drones.

The…