Royal Navy will launch a jet-powered drone from its aircraft carrier in 2027
First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins has confirmed that the Royal Navy will launch a jet-powered drone from an aircraft carrier in 2027.
These drones will be known as the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), Jenkins said in an address on Tuesday (10 November).
Last year, I said I wanted the first of those CCAs to be launched from the carrier flight deck by next year. When I said that, there was probably a bit of scepticism in the room. Well today, here in Oslo, I can confirm that we are taking another big step forward.
“In two days’ time, on this carrier, I will sign a statement of intent with our friends at Northrop Grumman to prepare their TALON demonstrator for trials with the Royal Navy under Project VANQUISH. That demonstrator is here with me on this stage.
“Through that agreement, we will work towards a demonstration in UK waters in 2027, including a launch from the carrier. It will give us the evidence we need to understand how uncrewed combat aircraft can operate safely and effectively alongside the existing air wing. Then we learn, adapt and keep moving forward.
“That is how we deliver capability at the pace necessary.” Not by waiting years for a perfect solution, but by working with industry to get the latest technology into the hands of our people as quickly as possible. Of course, moving at pace carries some risk.”
Jenkins added that the Royal Navy has been working with risk for centuries – from Nelson to Fisher. He added that Royal Navy is not separate from Britain’s economic prosperity – our job is to protect it, while also becoming an engine that helps deliver it.
He added that the UK is back in an era of state-on-state contest. “And for many of us in this room, even those of us with long careers in uniform, that is unfamiliar territory,” he said.
