Royal Navy drone research and test unit debuts as UAV producer

The UK’s Royal Navy has long pursued a variety of UAVs and related systems to assist and improve operations of its forces around the world, but now its specialized aviation tech unit has taken a step further by finally producing a drone of its very own.

The Royal Navy proudly revealed yesterday that engineers from its 700X Naval Air Squadron had begun initial trials of their 20 kilogram quadcopter they’ve affectionately dubbed “Walrus.” Continued work on the UAV will seek to develop it from its sophisticated DYI state toward a test-proven craft that may be used in preparing new aerial solutions for mission objectives naval units have.

Located in Culdrose on Cornwall’s southwestern Lizard Peninsula, the 700X Naval Air Squadron (“X” representing experimental) is tasked with overseeing the development of new, uncrewed, remotely piloted aerial tech. In finding ways to use drones to fulfill duties for Royal Navy and other UK armed forces that…