The Royal Navy has successfully launched strike drones from an aircraft carrier for the first time, in a major step towards transforming how Britain fights at sea.

The Tekever AR5 drone prepares to touch down on HMS Queen Elizabeth’s deck. (Image credit: Royal Navy)

In landmark North Atlantic trials, which took place in mid-October, British-made Nyan Maritime one-way drones, manufactured in Wiltshire by Callen-Lenz, took off from HMS Queen Elizabeth ‘s flight deck, demonstrating how autonomous strike systems could operate alongside F-35B stealth jets.

The trials mark another step towards the Navy’s high-tech approach to fighting in the air, from an aircraft carrier, known as the ‘hybrid carrier air wing.’ It brings together crewed aircraft and drones to increase the carrier’s reach, lethality, and flexibility, while keeping personnel further away from danger.

The trials developed understanding of how uncrewed strike systems could contribute to future Carrier Strike operations and wider defense…