The W Autonomous Systems (WAS) drone flew from the Lizard Peninsula to the deck of HMS Prince of Wales off the Cornish coast, delivered supplies, and returned.
Capt. Richard Hewitt, commander of HMS Prince of Wales, commented on the significance of this first for British naval aviation, stating, “HMS Prince of Wales is a fifth-generation aircraft carrier, and operating autonomous drones like this will become the norm across future Royal Navy carrier strike groups during our 50-year lifespan.”
W Autonomous Systems states that its STOL HCMC drone can transport 100 kg over a distance of one thousand kilometers to remote or difficult locations. The Royal Navy is investigating the possibility of resupply for the British carrier strike group. The Royal Navy emphasized that using drones like HCMC saves money and reduces risk compared to conventional delivery methods, while also freeing up the Fleet Air Arm’s helicopters for other missions, such as anti-submarine warfare.
Almost ten years have passed since an unmanned aircraft made the first landing on a U.S. aircraft carrier. A Northrop Grumman X-47B landed on the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) on July 10, 2013.