As part of a plan to enhance the strength of naval aviation in the future
The British Navy provides carriers with drones for various missions
The British Navy wants to enhance its capabilities by using "Drones".
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After a successful test of drones aboard the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier, last year, the UK military command decided to go ahead with Project Vembyer, a program aimed at purchasing stationary drones. Wing and low-cost intelligence agency, surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as surveying and threat simulation.
These efforts are part of the Royal Navy's initial plan for the Future Naval Aviation Force's Enhancement Program.
In September 2021, the Navy used the aerial target drone, the Banshee Jet 80, in a parade on the aircraft carrier.
The program, managed by the Development Directorate within the Naval Command, is currently exploring a transition into a number of unmanned flight roles, including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, communications and bombing, from manned to unmanned aerial platforms, according to Jane's, a defense website.
The Vembyer project, under the supervision of the Royal Naval Forces Command, aims to address a number of capabilities problems by using a low-cost, fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle as a means of developing operations, payload types and associated communications and digital engineering.
The first phase of the project will be operated as a four-year program, with an option to extend, for one year until March 31, 2026. Four air vehicles, with an additional one annually, will be delivered in 2023-2024 and 2024-2025, with options to purchase up to 10 more, And an option to extend the contract until March 31, 2026.
“The project follows a global trend in developing multi-role unmanned aerial vehicles in the maritime domain, beyond the traditional use of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions typically associated with drones,” said James Marks, aerospace expert and safety analyst at data analytics firm GlobalData. ».
According to the data, drones are not widely used in naval operations, as marine users currently represent 28% of the market for drones around the world, which is expected to grow from eight billion dollars, currently, to 15.9 billion dollars in 2031. “A number of factors are fueling the demand for unmanned vehicles, including territorial disputes such as what is happening between China and its neighbors, in the South China Sea, as well as security threats from piracy to conflict with competitors,” Marks added.
Vembyer is one of several unmanned programs in the Navy's Future Air Force initiative, which is exploring options for drones that can perform a range of missions, including electronic warfare, early warning and anti-submarine warfare.
The Global Data report added that these platforms can provide a dynamic and robust spectrum for the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier during the years they spend in service.
Last month, the Royal Navy also announced that it would invest £458,000 in two new systems that will offer significantly longer flight times and the ability to flexibly combine different payloads, including a flight time of up to 24 hours with the ability to carry a maximum payload of 25 kilograms.
"Unmanned platforms benefit from lower operating costs and endurance," Marks said. "This makes them an effective way for the Navy to cost-effectively double its combat capability, enhance its forces' capabilities, and expand its surveillance and strike range, via highly endurance drones."
Experts believe that technological advances in sensors and weapons, along with multi-mission drones, will dramatically improve the pace of operations and performance in naval warfare.
It will also drive growth and competition in the unmanned systems market.
And the Royal Navy is not alone. The United States, China and Russia have similar naval drone projects.
In addition to air vehicles, the Royal Navy has continued to invest in underwater military vehicles, too.
• The Vembyer project, under the supervision of the Royal Naval Forces Command, aims to address a number of capabilities problems by using a low-cost, fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle as a means of developing operations.
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