The Royal Navy’s drone squadron have taken their experience in uncrewed techniques one step additional by constructing their very own quadcopter. Personnel from 700X Naval Air Squadron have constructed their first remotely-piloted air system in a milestone second for the Culdrose-based group. As soon as totally put by way of its paces, the drone could possibly be used as a testbed for sensors and delivering different payloads. In an empty plane hangar, the glossy four-legged system is able to be turned on and put by way of a collection of floor exams. The 20kg octo-quadcopter is known as Walrus after the flying boats pioneered by 700 Naval Air Squadron and flown from cruisers and battleships throughout the Second World Warfare.
Lieutenant Commander Martin Howard, the squadron’s commanding officer, mentioned: “This venture is only one strand of our work in researching, evaluating and deploying RPAS expertise on the forefront of Royal Navy operations. It’s an necessary step in gathering data and experience on this ever-evolving discipline. As a squadron, we already practice personnel throughout defence in using RPAS. We’ve flights which deploy the Puma air system to warships all over the world and we’re consistently testing and evaluating new techniques from business. This work will serve to strengthen all our outputs and is a vital step ahead for the Royal Navy.”
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“That is the primary time the navy has constructed its personal air system utilizing fundamental parts. It’s an necessary step in our recognition of endorsed producer standing with the Navy Aviation Authority. Constructed to excessive, aviation requirements, the Walrus will likely be used particularly as a testbed for sensors and different delicate payloads. Will probably be our impartial take a look at and analysis platform. As we’ve constructed it, we all know the system and precisely what it’s able to. We’re now testing it utilizing a rigorous regime right here in a managed atmosphere. Once we’re assured it’s working accurately and safely, we’ll conduct our first flying exams, most likely within the new yr,” mentioned Lieutenant Kristian Lilley, who’s overseeing the exams.
700X Naval Air Station is the Royal Navy’s skilled unit within the analysis, coaching and deployment of remotely piloted air techniques. The squadron is a mixture of Royal Navy personnel of varied branches, Royal Marines, civil servants and contractors, and relies at RNAS Culdrose. It makes use of close by Predannack Airfield as a centre of experience for flights and coaching. As we speak’s announcement is one other instance of the significance being positioned on rising drone expertise. It follows the MOD’s announcement of 250 extra high-tech drones for the British army, underneath a £129 million contract with Lockheed Martin introduced final week.
