Overview
- The Royal Navy conducted four Nyan one-way strike-drone launches from HMS Queen Elizabeth in mid‑October and BAE Systems says all four reached their designated strike points.
- The launches took place during Exercise Neptune Reach B and form part of Project Vantage, a cross-service programme that pools Royal Navy, Army and RAF trials to speed decisions on maritime uncrewed systems.
- Nyan is a small, expendable uncrewed aircraft with a 2.9‑metre wingspan made by Callen‑Lenz, and the type has earlier flown from the experimental ship XV Patrick Blackett and been used in Estonia.
- The carrier trials also included Tekever AR5 heavy‑lift flights to test logistics and ISTAR roles from a carrier deck, showing how different uncrewed types are being evaluated together.
- Officials say the evidence will guide procurement and integration choices, with potential to increase carrier reach and reduce crew risk, but no operational deployment date for carrier‑based Nyan has been announced.