Royal Navy uncrewed aircraft trial marks European first
The Mojave being taken back into the hanger after landing back on HMS Prince of Wales. (Photo: UK Ministry of Defence)
UK flight test sees largest unmanned aircraft take off from a Royal Navy aircraft carrier.
A specially-modified aircraft codenamed ‘Mojave’, measuring nine-metres long and featuring a wingspan of 17 metres, has became the largest crewless machine ever flown from an aircraft carrier outside of the US Navy.
The aircraft was operated remotely at a computer terminal by a ‘pilot’, taking off and safely landing back onboard HMS Prince of Wales, a Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier, during a trial off the US east coast.
The remotely operated vehicle measures six-metres wider than an F-35B Lightning stealth fighter and weighs more than 1.5 tonnes when fully loaded.
Related Articles
General Atomics trusts in Mojave UAV investment to disrupt SOF market
Royal Navy to trial General Atomics Project Mojave STOL drone
GA-ASI gears up to trial Mojave UAV from a Royal Navy aircraft carrier
Produced by General Atomics, Mojave is a version of the MQ1C Gray Eagle aircraft which has been adapted for take-off and landing on short runways. It can perform long endurance missions from medium altitude and has a maximum air speed of 167 knots.
‘The Mojave trial is a European first – the first time that a remotely piloted air system of this size has operated to and from an aircraft carrier outside of the US,’ said Rear Admiral James Parkin, Royal Navy Director Develop.
Rear Adm Parkin claimed that the trial heralded ‘a new dawn’ in how the Royal Navy would ‘conduct maritime aviation’.
‘[This is] another exciting step in the evolution of the Royal Navy’s carrier strike group into a mixed crewed and uncrewed fighting force,’ he added.
The trial off the coast of Virginia intended to demonstrate how modern uncrewed air systems could operate alongside fifth-generation crewed aircraft.
Commander Martin Russell remarked: ‘Integrating the Navy Develop and General Atomics personnel into the Prince of Wales team was key to enabling such a large Remotely Piloted Air System to operate from the deck during this trial, with the capability feeling like a glimpse into the future of these ships.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Dubai Airshow 2023 | View all news
-
![South Korea and Boeing to jointly research long-endurance aerial UAVs]()
South Korea and Boeing to jointly research long-endurance aerial UAVs
Boeing and South Korea have solidified plans that would see Boeing UAV design and technology capabilities implemented locally by South Korean companies.
-
![Ukraine fields 5,000 homegrown drones amid Iran's debut of advanced Shahed-238 UAV]()
Ukraine fields 5,000 homegrown drones amid Iran's debut of advanced Shahed-238 UAV
Amid escalating tensions and technological advancements in drone warfare, Ukraine has reinforced its front lines with a delivery of 5,000 indigenous drones, paralleled by Iran's revelation of the new jet-powered Shahed-238.
-
![Brazil receives first fully operational upgraded E-99M AEW&C]()
Brazil receives first fully operational upgraded E-99M AEW&C
The updated E-99M aircraft features an updated Erieye Radar and C2 systems, as well as new EW and Identification, friend or foe (IFF) systems.
-
![Slovenia secures second C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft]()
Slovenia secures second C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft
A new agreement between Leonardo, the Italian government and Slovenia has marked the procurement of a second C-27J Spartan medium tactical transport aircraft for Slovenia, following an earlier deal signed in March 2022.
-
![Boeing shifts towards low-rate MH-139A Grey Wolf production]()
Boeing shifts towards low-rate MH-139A Grey Wolf production
Boeing's progress in the MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter programme have marked a milestone in the transition toward low-rate initial production, following the delivery of the final test aircraft to the US Air Force.
-
![Boeing and Red 6 make moves on airborne augmented reality training]()
Boeing and Red 6 make moves on airborne augmented reality training
Boeing and augmented reality training specialist Red 6 have achieved notable progress in integrating advanced technology into training aircraft.
