The Royal Navy has taken supply of recent jet-powered Banshee drones able to flying as much as 400mph. The adoption of the highly effective Banshee Jet 80+ is a big step ahead because the navy forges forward with the usage of remotely-piloted air methods (RPAS). Now a brand new flight has been fashioned at 700X Naval Air Squadron (NAS), primarily based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, to learn to preserve and safely function its personal fleet of drones. Initially developed to be used as targets to simulate incoming missiles. Developed by defence firm QinetiQ, the Banshee simulates threatening plane to assist the Royal Navy keep on the cutting-edge of air defences. They have been first trialled on the plane service HMS Prince Of Wales in 2021.
The commanding officer of RNAS Culdrose, Captain Stuart Urwin stated: “700X NAS not solely operates in-service uncrewed methods for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, additionally it is a pathfinder squadron, conducting experimentation of those air methods for defence. They’re actually on the vanguard of our Future Maritime Aviation Power. It’s enormously thrilling to see the speedy progress they’re making. The squadron is a superb workforce working on the forefront of naval aviation’s subsequent large technological leap.”
Commercial
Lieutenant Commander Martin Howard, the commanding officer of 700X NAS, stated: “We’ve already established the usage of RPAS on Royal Navy ships on deployment, however the introduction of Banshee alerts a revolutionary step ahead by way of expertise. An vital level to make is that we’re not weaponising these methods. As an alternative this can be a automobile that can enable the navy to check various kinds of sensors. A very powerful factor for me is that persons are on the coronary heart of this enterprise. In 700X NAS we’re constructing the talents and information of this expertise which is essential as we transfer ahead”.
The Banshee drones are 10 by 8 toes (approx. 3m x 2.5m) in dimension and might fly in extra of 400mph with a spread of greater than 60 miles. They’re propelled into the air utilizing a big 60-foot pneumatic launcher. Utilizing a floor station, the controller can function the plane in numerous modes and probably entry onboard cameras or different sensors. As soon as the flight is full, the Banshee cuts its engine and deploys a parachute to softly float to the bottom. The Royal Navy’s first check flights of Banshee is predicted to be held at Predannack Airfield close to RNAS Culdrose in the summertime.
