HMS Trent has completed the first flight of a Malloy T-150B heavy-lift drone from a River-class Batch 2 patrol ship, testing how uncrewed aircraft could support ship-to-shore logistics and disaster relief.
The Royal Navy has flown a heavy-lift Malloy T-150B drone from HMS Trent in the Caribbean, marking the first time the system has operated from a River-class Batch 2 offshore patrol vessel, the UK Defence Journal understands.
The trial took place while the Portsmouth-based ship was deployed in the region during hurricane season. According to a Royal Navy news update, personnel from Scout Flight, 700X Naval Air Squadron, carried out a series of sorties to familiarise both drone operators and HMS Trent’s ship’s company with the procedures required to launch and recover the aircraft safely at sea.
The Malloy T-150B is a quadcopter heavy-lift uncrewed aerial system capable of carrying loads of up to 68kg. The Royal Navy says it can remain airborne for up to 40 minutes, reach speeds of around 60mph and operate over distances of between 13km and 37.5km depending on payload. The aircraft can fly by day or night and is equipped with thermal imaging capability.
The service is examining the system primarily as a logistics platform, particularly for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. From a ship such as HMS Trent, the drone could be used to move food, water, medical supplies and other equipment ashore without relying entirely on boats or crewed helicopters. That could prove useful where ports, roads or landing areas have been damaged or where communities are cut off following hurricanes or other natural disasters.
Commander Gavin Lowe, Commanding Officer of HMS Trent, said, as quoted in the news update: “This new capability is a fantastic addition to our toolset for humanitarian aid and disaster relief. The team have worked hard to integrate the system into our operations and we’re all very pleased to see the concept realised.”
The trial also tested the practical challenge of operating a relatively large uncrewed aircraft from a moving warship. Scout Flight worked with Trent’s bridge and flight deck teams to incorporate the Malloy into established aviation procedures, including launch and recovery while the ship was under way.
HMS Trent’s flight deck is already capable of supporting crewed aircraft up to the size of a Merlin helicopter, but the use of the Malloy introduces a different operating model built around uncrewed logistics. The Royal Navy said the successful sorties demonstrated the feasibility of integrating heavy-lift drones into maritime operations and represented an early step towards future ship-to-shore resupply missions.
Lieutenant Charles Harper, Scout Flight Commander, said, as quoted in the same news update: “Working with HMS Trent, we have gained valuable experience in operating uncrewed systems from the flight deck of a River Class Batch 2, paving the way for more complex resupply operations in the future.”
He added: “The lessons identified during this activity will inform future training, experimentation and capability development as we continue to explore the potential of uncrewed systems at sea.”
These do seem to be really good and efficient kit reducing the risks and waste of using a helo to transport minor stuff
Flight duration of 40 minutes might be somewhat lacking, in some situations. Wonder if the battery is slot in or replaceable in short order, rather like a domestic vacuum cleaner or power tool?
… which would reduce turn-round times.
I don’t think you’re wrong but I think this is a case of feed enough to do a limited role effectively rather than some eejit gold plate it and drive up the costs ridiculously
I don’t think this is a case of swapping out helicopter for drone. I think it’s sea boat trips or drone. Because the ships rarely carry a helicopter they unload most of their supplies by boat or crane. Sometimes they can lillypad another ship’s helo, but I wonder how often that happens and whether that is unloading their own supplies or the other ship’s.
The Malloys were declared IOC off the carriers and escorts last year, and have proven themselves conducting autonomous package and supply transfers between warships, so surely they have already more than tested “the feasibility of integrating heavy-lift drones into maritime operations”. I don’t deny the utility of T150s for HADR, but isn’t it beyond time the Rivers were given containerised Peregrines for patrol? Why shouldn’t the ships be used to their maximum if the assets are otherwise sitting doing nothing?
Think the question is “what is the best combination of helicopter and drone combo for the Rivers?”
The T150 in emergency support and HADR with 40 mins flight time or the Peregrine for recon (and martlet) with 2-3 hours flight time, supporting Merlin or Wildcat when embarked.
Peregrine has to be the most advantageous for an embedded capability under current conditions especially in Home and Far East waters.
Goog enough, not feed lol we need edit back
68Kgs equals 68 litres of water. Ignoring the other stuff like food, it will take a lot of flights to replace a RIB or helicopter.
Is this a really useful capability, or a niche one?